Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif Begins Official Visit to China
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Beijing on May 23 for a four-day official visit to China, marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations. The visit, at the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Qiang, is expected to deepen bilateral cooperation across trade, investment, and digital infrastructure, with multiple agreements anticipated.
Context: A Milestone Anniversary
China and Pakistan established diplomatic relations on May 21, 1951, and the relationship — often described as an “all-weather strategic cooperative partnership” — has endured for three-quarters of a century. The 75th anniversary falls at a moment of intense diplomatic activity in Beijing, with Sharif’s visit coming immediately after back-to-back visits by Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump.
According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, this is an “important high-level exchange between China and Pakistan on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.”
High-Level Meetings and Agenda
During the visit, which runs through May 26, Sharif is scheduled to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang. The Chinese government announced on May 21 that the leaders will discuss bilateral relations and issues of mutual concern, “charting the course for the development of China-Pakistan relations under the new circumstances.”
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun confirmed at a press briefing that Sharif will also attend a reception celebrating the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties and will visit Zhejiang Province.
Digital Corridor and CPEC 2.0
A key focus of the visit is the evolution of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) into what analysts are calling CPEC 2.0, with a strong emphasis on digital economy cooperation. Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar first announced the visit on May 13 at the launch ceremony of the “IBI Pakistan Digital Economy Center,” signaling that the China-Pakistan Digital Corridor would be a central agenda item.
As Sohu News reported, the choice of venue for the announcement was deliberate: “Putting the digital economy and the prime minister’s visit to China on the same platform effectively set the tone for this meeting in advance — the digital corridor will be a key topic.”
Dar described the partnership as entering “a new phase in the digital age,” adding that Pakistan-China friendship is “not an ordinary diplomatic relationship — it is a relationship that has stood the test of time and has been strengthened by trust.”
Agreements and Economic Cooperation
Multiple memorandums of understanding and agreements are expected to be signed during the visit, covering trade, investment, and economic cooperation. The Daily Times reported that Pakistan is expected to seek greater Chinese investment in key sectors of its economy, which has been facing significant challenges including high inflation and foreign exchange pressures.
The visit follows closely after Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari’s visit to China from April 25 to May 1, during which several MOUs on economic cooperation were signed. The back-to-back visits by both the president and prime minister are unusual and signal an intensification of bilateral engagement.
Regional Diplomacy and the Iran Dimension
Guo Jiakun indicated that regional issues, including the situation in Iran, are likely to be discussed. “China supports Pakistan in playing a fair and balanced mediating role in promoting peace and ending war,” he said, adding that China will work with Pakistan and the international community to contribute to restoring peace and stability in the Middle East.
This positions Pakistan as a potential mediator in the Iran conflict, a role that aligns with China’s broader diplomatic approach in the region.
A Dense Diplomatic Calendar
Sharif’s visit is part of an extraordinarily busy month for Chinese diplomacy. Following Putin’s state visit on May 19-20 and the Trump-Xi summit on May 20, Beijing is also hosting Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić on May 24. The concentration of high-level visits underscores China’s central role in global diplomacy in 2026.
What to Watch For
As the visit unfolds, key questions remain: What specific agreements will be signed, and what are their financial implications? How will the Digital Corridor complement existing CPEC projects? And how will this deepening partnership affect Pakistan’s relations with the United States and other Western powers?
What is clear is that the “iron brotherhood” between China and Pakistan continues to strengthen, with both sides looking to modernize their partnership for the digital age.