Pakistan PM Shehbaz arrives in Hangzhou at start of four-day China visit

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in the eastern Chinese city of Hangzhou on Saturday, beginning a four-day official visit aimed at strengthening economic, trade and technology cooperation between the two countries.

Sharif was received at Xiaoshan International Airport by Zhejiang Vice Governor Xu Wenguang, Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong and Pakistan's Ambassador to China Khalil Hashmi.

What is the purpose of PM Shehbaz's China visit?

The visit centres on advancing the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, a flagship project under China's Belt and Road Initiative.

Sharif is expected to attend a business forum to expand cooperation between Pakistani and Chinese companies, sign several agreements and memorandums of understanding, and meet executives from major Chinese firms including Alibaba Group.

Who is travelling with PM Shehbaz to China?

The Pakistani delegation includes Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja and senior aide Tariq Fatemi.

During the visit, Sharif is scheduled to hold talks with Zhejiang Communist Party Secretary Wang Hao. Pakistani and Chinese firms are also expected to sign multiple agreements over the course of the trip.

What did China say ahead of the Pakistan PM's visit?

Earlier this week, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said the two sides would discuss "issues of common concern" and that China supported Pakistan's efforts to promote regional stability through dialogue and diplomacy.

The visit comes as Beijing and Islamabad seek to deepen economic collaboration amid broader geopolitical uncertainty across Asia and the Middle East.

Pakistan has recently stepped up its diplomatic role in regional conflicts, including facilitating talks between the United States and Iran, though those discussions have yet to produce a lasting agreement.