Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Hangzhou on Saturday, beginning his four-day official visit to China aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation and advancing the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
According to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Zhejiang Vice Governor Xu Wenguang welcomed the premier at Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport. China’s Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong and Pakistan’s envoy to Beijing Khalil Hashmi were also present at the airport reception.
During his visit to Hangzhou, PM Shehbaz met Communist Party of China Zhejiang Provincial Committee Secretary Wang Hao and witnessed the signing of multiple cooperation agreements.
Among the agreements signed was a memorandum of understanding establishing a sister-province relationship between Zhejiang and Punjab. According to a statement issued by the Pakistani government, the agreement is intended to boost cooperation in trade, investment, agriculture, education, tourism, culture, and people-to-people exchanges.
The prime minister also witnessed the signing of a document between Hangzhou Normal University and Pakistan’s embassy in Beijing for the establishment of the China-Pakistan Joint Technology Research Centre.
“The centre will promote academic cooperation, applied research, technology exchange and institutional linkages between Pakistan and China,” the statement said.
During the meeting, PM Shehbaz praised Zhejiang’s development model and acknowledged the leadership of Chinese President Xi Jinping during his tenure in Zhejiang, particularly the concept that “lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets.”
According to the statement, the prime minister described Zhejiang as an example of how ecological preservation, green development, and economic growth could progress together.
He reiterated Pakistan’s interest in expanding cooperation with Zhejiang in areas including the digital economy, e-commerce, information technology, telecommunications, agriculture, renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, and skills development.
“The provincial cooperation constitutes an important pillar of Pakistan-China relations and can play a significant role in advancing Phase II of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) through industrial cooperation, agricultural modernisation, technology collaboration and export-oriented development,” PM Shehbaz said.
Referring to the recent 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Islamabad and Beijing, he added, “The two countries are entering a new phase of practical, people-centric and development-oriented cooperation.”
As part of his Hangzhou engagements, the prime minister is scheduled to attend a business forum focused on promoting collaboration between Pakistani and Chinese companies under CPEC 2.0. He will also meet chief executive officers of major Chinese firms and visit the headquarters of Alibaba Group to strengthen economic ties.
The delegation accompanying the prime minister includes Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja, and the PM’s adviser Tariq Fatemi.
Earlier this week, Pakistan’s Foreign Office announced that the visit would take place from May 23 to 26 as part of celebrations marking 75 years of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China.
The FO said the trip would provide an opportunity to reaffirm the Pakistan-China “all-weather strategic cooperative partnership” and strengthen cooperation across political, economic, and strategic sectors.
During the visit, PM Shehbaz is expected to meet President Xi Jinping and Chinese Premier Li Qiang.
According to the FO, both countries will review progress in areas including CPEC development, trade, investment, industrial cooperation, agricultural modernisation, science and technology, information technology, and people-to-people exchanges.
The premier will also attend a reception in Beijing hosted by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries to commemorate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Separately, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said the ongoing US-Iran tensions were also expected to be discussed during meetings between Pakistani and Chinese leadership.
“Pakistan and China have maintained close coordination on the standoff in the Middle East and our peace efforts in this regard,” Andrabi said, referring to Deputy PM Dar’s visit to China last month.
“We agreed on a five-point principle, which was issued as a joint statement. So, yes, this issue will be discussed during the prime minister’s visit,” he added.
