Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif will travel to China from May 23 to 26 on an official visit at the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Qiang, where he is scheduled to hold meetings with President Xi Jinping.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told a routine press briefing, as reported by state news agency Xinhua, that the visit marks a high-level exchange between the two sides on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of Pakistan-China diplomatic relations.
“The leaders of China and Pakistan will have an in-depth exchange of views on bilateral relations and issues of common concern,” Guo noted, adding that both sides would hold detailed discussions on matters of mutual interest.
During the visit, Shehbaz Sharif will also attend a ceremony marking 75 years of diplomatic ties between the two countries and travel to Zhejiang province.
Guo said that China and Pakistan are all-weather strategic cooperative partners and that over the past 75 years, bilateral ties have stood the test of every challenge. He remarked that in recent years, under the strategic guidance of both leaderships, high-level exchanges have remained consistent and practical cooperation has seen steady progress, with notable achievements in the development of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
The spokesman added that the two countries have maintained close coordination on major international and regional issues, effectively safeguarded shared interests, and contributed to peace and stability in the region.
Guo expressed hope that the visit would open a new chapter in strengthening traditional ties, deepening cooperation across sectors, and advancing the building of a China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era.
Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and Foreign Minister (FM) Ishaq Dar, who will accompany the prime minister, had earlier held a call with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi where the two discussed Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to facilitate engagement between Iran and the United States (US).
China has publicly backed Pakistan’s role as a mediator in the conflict, with Beijing’s foreign ministry stating that “China supports Pakistan in playing a fair and balanced mediating role in promoting peace and ending the war”.
