Pakistan's Prime Minister engages in SCO summit discussions and trade and investment negotiations with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Pakistan's Prime Minister to Attend Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit and Boost Ties with China

Pakistan's Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, is embarking on a five-day visit to China from August 30 to September 4. The trip will see Sharif attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Heads of State Summit in Tianjin, China, from August 31 to September 1, and meeting with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang.

During his visit, Sharif will participate in the 80th anniversary commemorations of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance in Beijing. The summit in Tianjin is attended by leaders from the 10 member states of the SCO, including Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Belarus, India, Iran, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, as well as more than 20 foreign leaders and heads of 10 international organizations.

The meetings with Xi and Li are described as crucial for maintaining the "all-weather strategic cooperative partnership" between the two governments. The discussions will focus on various aspects of Pakistan-China bilateral cooperation, with an emphasis on advancing into "CPEC 2.0," which focuses on industrialization, agriculture, energy, and connectivity.

Political, economic, and investment ties are the main topics on the agenda for Sharif's visit. During his last visit to China in June 2024, Sharif held talks with Xi and Li, toured cultural and educational sites, and announced that 1,000 Pakistani students would receive agricultural training in China.

Sharif will also chair the second Pakistan-China B2B Investment Conference in Beijing on September 4 to enhance trade and investment ties. During his visit, Sharif will also meet with leading Chinese companies in the energy and technology sectors to attract foreign investors for manufacturing and other opportunities in Pakistan.

China has been Pakistan's largest investor and closest strategic ally, anchored by the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The strong, multifaceted partnership between Pakistan and China includes defense, diplomacy, and economic cooperation.

Regular consultations on regional and global developments are expected during the visit. Sharif will be joined by top politicians from member states or guest countries such as Belarus, Iran, Kazakhstan, Türkiye, and Vietnam at the SCO summit.

Moreover, more than 20 foreign leaders, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin, will attend the SCO's largest meeting since its founding. The summit is expected to be a significant gathering, with the aim of strengthening bilateral cooperation and reaffirming support on core interests.

Pakistan's Prime Minister engages in SCO summit discussions and trade and investment negotiations with Chinese President Xi Jinping.