BEIJING: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation with China in agriculture, information technology, artificial intelligence, and other key sectors.
Speaking at the Pakistan-China B2B Investment Conference in Hangzhou on Sunday, the prime minister noted that China imports agricultural products worth around $100 billion annually, while Pakistan’s share remains minimal.
Prime Minister Sharif said Pakistan, with Chinese support and collaboration, has the potential to produce agricultural goods that meet China’s quality and regulatory standards.
He expressed optimism that Pakistan could increase its agricultural exports to China by nearly $10 billion over the next five to seven years.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif addresses Pakistan China Business Conference on Information Tecnology & Telecom, Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) and Agriculture held in Hangzhou. 24 May, 2026. pic.twitter.com/p1RQuYMf04
— Prime Minister’s Office (@PakPMO) May 24, 2026
Prime Minister Sharif also highlighted the government’s plan to establish a 6,000-acre Special Economic Zone in Karachi.
He said the zone would offer modern infrastructure, a business-friendly environment, and a one-window operation system.
The prime minister further invited Chinese investors to acquire land on long-term leases under attractive terms and conditions.
He said that rising labour costs in China present an opportunity for Chinese investors to relocate their plants and machinery to Pakistan.
He encouraged Chinese companies to form joint ventures with Pakistani entrepreneurs, adding that the manufactured products could then be exported to third countries. He described the proposal as a win-win arrangement for both nations.
The prime minister also invited Chinese investors to explore opportunities in Pakistan’s mines and minerals sector, noting that the country is rich in mineral and gemstone reserves.
Cooperation between Pakistani and Chinese companies
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also held meetings with senior executives of several leading Chinese companies in Hangzhou Sunday.
During the meetings he underscored the importance of Business-to-Business cooperation between Pakistani and Chinese companies to further deepen the longstanding fraternal ties between the two countries.
President Xiuzheng Pharmaceuticals Group, Mr. Xin Yuan calls on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif in Hangzhou. 24 May 2026. pic.twitter.com/wXh7UjPQsq
— Prime Minister’s Office (@PakPMO) May 24, 2026
As part of his engagement with China’s corporate sector, the prime minister met representatives of Sheng Huo Neng Yuan Ke Ji Company, CATL, StarCharge, and Xiuzheng Pharmaceutical Group.
He also held a separate meeting with Agnes Siu, Chief Executive Officer of Sheng Huo Neng Yuan Ke Ji Company, where discussions focused on collaboration in the renewable energy sector.
The Prime Minister also met Oscar Luo, Executive President of CATL. Discussions focused on cooperation in advanced batteries, energy storage, and solar-linked solutions to support Pakistan’s clean energy transition.
Executive President of CATL, Mr. Oscar Luo calls on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif in Hangzhou. 24 May 2026. pic.twitter.com/IWvBD9DU1U
— Prime Minister’s Office (@PakPMO) May 24, 2026
A meeting was also held with Danwei Shao, Chairwoman of StarCharge Group. The meeting centered on electric vehicle charging infrastructure and smart mobility systems.
The prime minister highlighted the growing demand for renewable energy in Pakistan and discussed the government’s policy initiatives aimed at promoting the sector, particularly solar energy.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Beijing on Saturday after concluding his official engagements in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, as part of his ongoing visit to China aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation and economic ties.
China-Pakistan Political Parties Forum
Meanwhile, the two countries held the 2nd China-Pakistan Political Parties Forum and the 4th Meeting of the CPEC Political Parties Joint Consultation Mechanism in Beijing.
Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar Co-chaired the forum with Minister Liu Haixing of the IDCPC, in Beijing.
Co-chaired today the 2nd China-Pakistan Political Parties Forum and the 4th Meeting of the CPEC Political Parties Joint Consultation Mechanism with Minister H. E. Liu Haixing of the IDCPC, in Beijing.
I was joined by Federal Minister Planning, brother Ahsan Iqbal… pic.twitter.com/6H7iG9TUrK
— Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) May 24, 2026
“The forum provided an excellent opportunity for meaningful dialogue between political parties of both countries, reaffirming our shared commitment to strengthening strategic mutual trust, advancing CPEC 2.0, deepening economic cooperation, and enhancing people-to-people linkages,” Ishaq Dar said in a post on X.
He added as Pakistan and China mark 75 years of diplomatic relations, we remain firmly committed to further strengthening the China-Pakistan All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership and building an even closer China-Pakistan Community with a Shared Future in the New Era.
Pakistan, China sign strategic deal
Earlier Pakistan and China had signed a long-term strategic cooperation agreement aimed at boosting the mining, processing, value addition, and global export of Pakistan’s vast rock salt reserves.
In a major breakthrough for Pakistan’s mineral sector, Pak Salt Corporation signed a long-term strategic cooperation agreement with the China National Salt Industry Group.
The agreement was signed during Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to China.
The historic partnership aims to revolutionise the mining, processing, and global distribution of Pakistan’s vast rock salt reserves.
The agreement was finalised through the effective facilitation of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), alongside key institutional support from the Ministry of Energy (Petroleum Division).
