ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is set to depart for China next week on a five-day official visit at the invitation of the Chinese leadership, the Foreign Office announced on Friday.
During his visit, Prime Minister Sharif will engage in high-level talks with President Xi Jinping and hold delegation-level discussions with Premier Li Qiang in Beijing. The meetings aim to further strengthen the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership between the two nations, with a focus on upgrading the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), enhancing trade and investment, and expanding cooperation in security, defense, energy, space, and science and technology.
Strengthening Bilateral Ties
In addition to his meetings with Chinese leaders, Prime Minister Sharif will also meet with the Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress and heads of key government departments. An important aspect of his visit will be engagements with corporate executives from leading Chinese companies in sectors such as oil and gas, energy, information and communication technology (ICT), and emerging technologies.
In the city of Shenzhen, the Prime Minister will address the Pakistan-China Business Forum and visit various economic and agricultural zones. These activities are aimed at fostering business-to-business relations and exploring new avenues for bilateral cooperation.
Commitment to China-Pakistan Friendship
According to the Foreign Office, the Prime Minister’s visit underscores the ironclad friendship between China and Pakistan, characterized by frequent high-level exchanges and dialogue. In preparation for the visit, Prime Minister Sharif chaired a meeting in Islamabad, where he directed the relevant authorities to devise an action plan to attract Chinese companies to establish industries in Pakistan.
He assured that Pakistan would provide all possible facilities to Chinese industrialists and investors, emphasizing the need for productive business-to-business meetings during his visit. The Prime Minister also received a detailed briefing on the preparations for his trip.
Accompanying Delegation
A delegation of Pakistani industrialists, investors, and entrepreneurs will accompany Prime Minister Sharif to Shenzhen, where they will meet with the Chinese business community to discuss the promotion of bilateral business relations. The Prime Minister has instructed the Pakistani ambassador in China to ensure that the delegation receives all necessary support and facilities.