Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will visit China in early June. This trip aims to strengthen cooperation with Beijing and alleviate Pakistan’s economic challenges.
This marks Shehbaz’s first visit to China since resuming office after the February 8 elections.
Official sources confirm the visit will commence on June 4 and last three days. During this period, he will meet top Chinese leaders, including President Xi Jinping.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal have already visited Beijing before Shehbaz’s trip.
Dar co-chaired a strategic dialogue with his Chinese counterpart. Both nations agreed to deepen cooperation and ensure incidents, like the attack on Chinese engineers, do not disrupt their relations.
Five Chinese engineers were killed in a suicide bombing near Besham, heightening concerns in China about their citizens’ safety in Pakistan.
Read: Government Set to Approve $2.58 Million Compensation for Chinese Workers Killed in Dasu Attack
Following the strategic dialogue, a joint statement emphasized justice for the attack perpetrators. It also affirmed that such incidents would not weaken bilateral cooperation.
The security of Chinese nationals and interests has been a significant issue. Although China refrains from public criticism, it has expressed private concerns over security arrangements.
The visit’s agenda is extensive, but key priorities include launching the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and restructuring the $15 billion loan for power plants.
China is Pakistan’s crucial strategic partner, having assisted Islamabad during critical times. Beijing’s loan rollover in July last year averted a potential default for Pakistan.
China’s support is vital amid shifting global politics. With India’s growing ties to the US, Pakistan increasingly relies on China to safeguard its core interests.
When Shehbaz Sharif’s government assumed office, the foreign office emphasized that China remains central to Pakistan’s foreign policy.
