ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is set to embark on an official four-day visit to China from May 23 to 26 at the invitation of the Chinese government, the Foreign Office confirmed on Friday.
Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi, during his weekly media briefing, said the premier will hold important meetings with top Chinese leaders, including President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang.
According to the spokesperson, the visit aims to further deepen the longstanding strategic partnership between Pakistan and China. Discussions during the trip will cover political ties, economic cooperation, and regional strategic matters.
PM Shehbaz is also expected to preside over a Pakistan-China Business-to-Business Conference and participate in an official reception in Beijing.
Andrabi noted that the visit comes as the two countries celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations, describing the Pakistan-China friendship as one that has stood the test of time. He said cooperation between the two nations has expanded significantly in areas such as trade, industry, education, and people-to-people exchanges.
“The visit will help reaffirm the enduring strength of the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership and promote the shared vision of a closer Pakistan-China community with a shared future,” the spokesperson said.
Earlier this week, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised China’s unwavering support for Pakistan, saying Beijing had stood by Islamabad “like a rock” during difficult periods.
Speaking at an event in Islamabad marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties, the premier recalled that Pakistan was the first Muslim-majority country to formally recognise China in 1951.
Meanwhile, the government has also announced the release of a commemorative Rs75 coin to celebrate the milestone anniversary. The special coin will be available to the public from May 25 through State Bank exchange counters across the country.
