PM Shehbaz Sharif to Visit China from May 23-26, FO Confirms
May 2026 | By Azad News
Pakistan’s Foreign Office has officially announced that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will undertake an official visit to China from May 23 to 26 at the invitation of the Chinese government.
During a weekly media briefing, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said the visit carries special importance as Pakistan and China are marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Andrabi stated that the visit would provide an opportunity for both sides to reaffirm the strength of the Pakistan-China all-weather strategic partnership and further deepen bilateral cooperation.
The prime minister is expected to hold meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang during the visit.
According to the Foreign Office, discussions will focus on political relations, economic cooperation, regional coordination, and strategic partnership between the two nations.
The spokesperson added that the visit is expected to strengthen political trust, expand cooperation in multiple sectors, and reinforce the long-standing friendship between Islamabad and Beijing.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will begin his visit in Hangzhou, located in China’s Zhejiang province, where he is scheduled to chair the Pakistan-China Business-to-Business Investment Conference.
In Beijing, the premier will also attend a reception hosted by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries to commemorate 75 years of diplomatic ties between Pakistan and China.
During the briefing, Andrabi also addressed regional and international issues, including Pakistan’s position on the Indus Water Treaty and the human rights situation in Indian-occupied Kashmir.
The Foreign Office rejected India’s dismissal of a supplemental award by the Permanent Court of Arbitration regarding the Indus Water Treaty, stating that the ruling remained legally binding.
Andrabi further urged the international community to take notice of alleged human rights violations in occupied Kashmir and called for accountability and the release of political prisoners.
Responding to questions regarding reports of a high-level Pakistani delegation visiting Iran, the spokesperson said the government could neither confirm nor deny the reports.
Conclusion
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s upcoming visit to China is expected to strengthen diplomatic, economic, and strategic cooperation between the two longstanding allies. The visit also comes at a significant moment as both countries celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations.
This article is a rewritten summary based on publicly available information. It has been fully paraphrased for informational purposes only and does not reproduce any original copyrighted text.
