Pakistan’s PM Shehbaz Sharif meets Chinese Premier Li Qiang to discuss bilateral ties and chairs a business conference in Beijing.
Shehbaz Sharif in China for SCO Summit
On Thursday, September 4, 2025, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will meet Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Beijing to discuss bilateral cooperation and regional issues, while also presiding over the second Pakistan-China Business-to-Business Investment Conference. The meeting is part of Sharif’s six-day visit to China, primarily to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit and the Victory Day parade. The discussions aim to strengthen the Pakistan-China strategic partnership and advance the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Phase-II.
Why It Matters
This meeting is significant for South Asia as it reinforces the deep ties between Pakistan and China, key regional players. Strengthened cooperation, particularly through CPEC, could enhance economic stability and infrastructure development in Pakistan, impacting regional trade and connectivity. The SCO summit also provides a platform for addressing security and economic challenges, influencing South Asia’s geopolitical landscape.
Shehbaz Sharif Meets Chinese Premier, Utilising His Visit in China
During his visit, Shehbaz Sharif will engage with Chinese leaders to deepen the “All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership.” The meeting with Premier Li Qiang will focus on political, economic, and security cooperation, with an emphasis on advancing CPEC Phase-II, which prioritises industrialisation and special economic zones (SEZs). According to a statement from the Pakistani Foreign Office, the talks will cover “multifaceted dimensions of Pakistan-China bilateral cooperation” and regional issues.
Sharif will also meet Chinese Minister for Information Technology and Industry Li Lecheng to explore technology transfers and industrial partnerships. These engagements follow his recent interactions with Chinese officials, including a meeting with Foreign Minister Wang Yi on August 22, 2025, where Sharif expressed Pakistan’s commitment to enhancing CPEC and ensuring the safety of Chinese personnel.
Pakistan-China Business Conference
The second Pakistan-China Business-to-Business Investment Conference, chaired by Sharif in Beijing, will review outcomes from the first edition held in Shenzhen in June 2024. The conference aims to foster collaboration between Pakistani and Chinese businesses, focusing on sectors like textiles, IT, agriculture, and renewable energy. Sharif’s earlier assurances to Chinese investors, including technology giant Huawei, highlight Pakistan’s efforts to attract foreign direct investment by improving governance and ensuring security.
The conference is expected to outline future plans for SEZs, which are projected to boost Pakistan’s exports. For instance, a recently inaugurated SEZ in Islamabad by a Chinese textile group is expected to generate USD 400 million in exports, underscoring the economic potential of such collaborations.
Background
Pakistan and China share a longstanding strategic partnership, with CPEC being a flagship project under China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Phase-II of CPEC, formally launched during Sharif’s visit, focuses on industrial cooperation, clean energy, and agriculture. The partnership has faced challenges, including security concerns following attacks on Chinese nationals in Pakistan, such as the October 6, 2024, suicide attack near Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport. Sharif has reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to protecting Chinese personnel and projects, a priority echoed in his discussions with Chinese officials
The SCO summit, held in Tianjin from August 31 to September 1, 2025, brought together leaders from member states, including China, Russia, India, and Pakistan. Sharif’s participation underscores Pakistan’s role in regional multilateralism, with the SCO serving as a platform to address security, trade, and connectivity.
What’s Next
Shehbaz Sharif meets Chinese Premier and the business conference are expected to yield new agreements to advance CPEC Phase-II, potentially including MoUs on industrial and technological cooperation. The outcomes of these engagements will likely influence Pakistan’s economic policies and regional trade dynamics. Continued collaboration with China could position Pakistan as a hub for regional investment, provided security and governance challenges are addressed. Shehbaz Sharif’s focus on CPEC and bilateral ties signals a strategic push for economic growth in Pakistan.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, September 4th, 2025
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