Shehbaz Sharif departed for Hangzhou on Saturday, beginning a four-day official trip to China from May 23 to 26. The visit is focused on boosting economic collaboration, enhancing strategic relations, and advancing projects linked to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, according to Pakistan’s Prime Minister’s Office.

In a statement shared on X, the Prime Minister’s Office said Sharif is accompanied by a high-level delegation that includes Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja, and Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi.

During his stay in Hangzhou, Sharif is scheduled to meet Zhejiang Party Secretary Wang Hao, attend a business forum aimed at promoting cooperation under CPEC Phase 2, and witness the signing of agreements and memorandums of understanding. He is also expected to hold discussions with executives from leading Chinese companies and visit the headquarters of Alibaba to explore investment opportunities.

The Pakistani prime minister will later travel to Beijing for meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang. The trip will also feature events celebrating 75 years of diplomatic ties between Pakistan and China, along with interactions with major Chinese firms and a visit to the China Academy of Agricultural Sciences.

Pakistan’s Foreign Office said the visit would reaffirm the strength of the long-standing Pakistan-China strategic partnership and promote cooperation in sectors such as trade, investment, agriculture, information technology, science, and cultural exchanges. The statement further noted that the visit is expected to strengthen political trust, improve strategic coordination, broaden practical cooperation, and reinforce the historic friendship between the two nations.

According to Dawn, regional developments, including tensions involving the US and Iran, may also be discussed. Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said Pakistan and China have remained closely coordinated on Middle East issues and ongoing peace efforts. He referenced Ishaq Dar’s recent visit to China, during which both sides agreed on a five-point framework outlined in a joint statement, adding that the matter is expected to come up again during Sharif’s visit.