ISLAMABAD/HANGZHOU (MNN): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has arrived in Hangzhou on the first leg of his four-day official visit to China aimed at strengthening bilateral strategic cooperation and expanding economic engagement between the two countries.
Upon arrival at Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport, the prime minister was received by Zhejiang Deputy Governor Xu Wenguang, Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong and Pakistan’s Ambassador to China Khalil Hashmi.
In a message shared on X, Prime Minister Shehbaz thanked the leadership of Zhejiang province for the warm reception extended to him and his delegation.
He said Pakistan was looking forward to expanding practical cooperation with Zhejiang in various sectors including the digital economy, e-commerce, information technology, telecommunications, agriculture, renewable energy, advanced manufacturing and skills development.
The prime minister also reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening the longstanding friendship between the two countries.
According to the Government of Pakistan, the prime minister is accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi.
The Foreign Office stated that the visit carries special significance as Pakistan and China are celebrating the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations.
According to the FO, the visit will provide an opportunity to reaffirm the strength of the Pakistan-China All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the shared vision of a closer future partnership.
During his stay in Hangzhou, Prime Minister Shehbaz is scheduled to meet the Party Secretary of Zhejiang province and chair the Pakistan-China B2B Investment Conference focusing on information technology, telecommunications, battery energy storage systems and agriculture.
The premier will also witness the exchange of agreements and memorandums of understanding between Pakistani and Chinese companies.
Officials said the prime minister is expected to meet chief executives of leading Chinese firms and visit the headquarters of Alibaba Group, where cooperation agreements are likely to be signed.
In the second phase of the visit, the prime minister will travel to Beijing for meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang.
The two sides are expected to review bilateral cooperation in political, economic and strategic sectors, with special focus on the high-quality development of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, trade, investment, industrial cooperation, agricultural modernisation, information technology, science and technology, and people-to-people exchanges.
The Foreign Office said the visit is expected to deepen political trust, strengthen strategic coordination, expand practical cooperation and further consolidate the longstanding friendship between Pakistan and China.
