Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif departed on August 30, 2025, for China to attend the 25th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit. The event will take place in Tianjin and will host over 20 world leaders, including Russia’s Vladimir Putin and India’s Narendra Modi. Shehbaz called his visit “historic” and expressed eagerness to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping and other global leaders.
Departing on a historic visit to China! Will participate in the SCO Council of Heads of State Meeting in Tianjin and attend the 80th anniversary of the victory over Fascism in WWII in Beijing. I look forward to meeting H.E. President Xi Jinping and other world leaders to further… pic.twitter.com/lCD5ewH2pE
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) August 30, 2025
During his trip, PM Shehbaz aims to deepen Pakistan-China relations, especially advancing the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Phase-II. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that Shehbaz would hold talks with President Xi and Premier Li Qiang on bilateral cooperation. He will also attend a military parade in Beijing marking the 80th anniversary of the World’s Anti-Fascist War.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif departs on his official visit to China to attend 25th SCO Council of Heads of State and 80th anniversary of Chinese People’s War of Resistance. pic.twitter.com/EAiot5pzw4
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) August 30, 2025
In addition to political meetings, the prime minister plans to engage with Chinese business leaders at a Pakistan-China B2B Investment Conference. This visit highlights the “All Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership” between Pakistan and China, focusing on trade, investment, and regional peace.
The SCO Summit marks a key moment in regional diplomacy, especially as India’s Modi makes his first visit to China since border clashes in 2020. Pakistan hopes this forum will strengthen multilateral ties across Central, South, and Southeast Asia, and the Middle East.
Finally, PM Shehbaz’s visit will officially launch CPEC Phase-II, focusing on industrial cooperation after a five-year delay. Both countries recently agreed to technical working groups for projects in cotton seed development and modern irrigation, underscoring their commitment to economic and agricultural progress.