PM Shehbaz to visit China in May for CPEC and regional talks
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is scheduled to undertake an official visit to China in May for high-level talks expected to cover the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and a range of regional issues, as Islamabad deepens its engagement with Beijing at a time of significant geopolitical pressure in the subcontinent.
The visit will provide an important platform for the two sides to review the current status of CPEC projects, discuss the second phase of the corridor's development, and reaffirm the strategic partnership between the two countries. CPEC remains the centrepiece of Pakistan-China economic relations, encompassing infrastructure, energy, and industrial cooperation worth tens of billions of dollars.
Regional security and the state of Pakistan-India relations are expected to feature prominently in the agenda given the current elevated tensions. China, as Pakistan's most significant strategic partner, has consistently advocated for dialogue and de-escalation in the subcontinent, and the visit will allow both sides to coordinate positions on the prevailing situation.
The visit follows President Asif Zardari's ongoing travel in China, suggesting a sustained high-level diplomatic engagement between Islamabad and Beijing. Pakistan has historically leaned on its relationship with China for strategic reassurance and economic support during periods of external pressure.
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