PM Shehbaz Departs for Four-Day State Visit to China
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif departed Islamabad on Saturday for a four-day official state visit to China, in what is expected to be a high-stakes diplomatic engagement focused on deepening bilateral ties, advancing CPEC projects, and securing fresh economic commitments from Beijing.
The visit comes at a critical juncture for Pakistan's economy, with Islamabad seeking to accelerate stalled infrastructure projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, attract direct investment, and expand market access for Pakistani exports to China. Energy cooperation and the upgrade of CPEC's second phase are expected to dominate the formal agenda.
The trip also carries geopolitical significance as it follows the recent US-China summit, placing Pakistan in a delicate position of managing its strategic partnerships with both Washington and Beijing. Islamabad has traditionally sought to maintain balanced engagement with major powers, and the timing of the visit will be closely watched by international observers.
Prime Minister Shehbaz is expected to meet President Xi Jinping and senior Chinese leadership during the visit. Bilateral agreements across infrastructure, trade, agriculture, and technology cooperation are anticipated to be signed, with the outcomes likely to shape the economic outlook for the coming fiscal period.
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