PM lands in Hangzhou to begins ‘high-stakes’ China visit to deepen strategic, economic partnership

• Premier Shehbaz praises Xi Jinping’s Zhejiang development vision during talks with Party Secretary of CPC Zhejiang Provincial Committee

• Pakistan, China sign sister-province, technology research agreements as CPEC Phase II, digital economy and industrial cooperation dominate agenda

• PM to meet Chinese leadership as ties mark 75 years of diplomacy, while US-Iran conflict expected to feature in talks with Beijing leadership

• Alibaba visit, Pakistan-China business forum among key engagements

 HANGZHOU/ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday praised the “remarkable development model” of China’s Zhejiang Province and lauded the visionary leadership of Chinese President Xi Jinping during his tenure as Party Secretary of the CPC Zhejiang Provincial Committee, particularly for advancing the philosophy that “lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets,” as he commenced a four-day official visit to China aimed at deepening strategic and economic cooperation between the two countries.

The prime minister made the remarks during a meeting with Wang Hao, Party Secretary of the CPC Zhejiang Provincial Committee, in Hangzhou, where both sides discussed avenues for expanding bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors.

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif meets Mr. Wang Hao, Party Secretary of the CPC Zhejiang Provincial Committee in Hangzhou. 23 May 2026.#PMShehbazInChina pic.twitter.com/3jSwAPduL6

— Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) May 23, 2026

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Shehbaz arrived in Hangzhou at the start of his official visit to China, undertaken at the invitation of the Chinese government. Zhejiang Vice Governor Xu Wenguang received the premier at Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

China’s Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong and Pakistan’s Ambassador to China Khalil Hashmi were also present to welcome the prime minister.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Shehbaz said Zhejiang’s transformation offered a compelling example of how ecological conservation, green development and high-quality economic growth could progress in a mutually reinforcing manner. He noted that Pakistan viewed Zhejiang as an important partner in promoting innovation-driven growth and sustainable development.

The premier said Pakistan attached great importance to enhancing cooperation with Zhejiang Province in key sectors including the digital economy, e-commerce, information technology, telecommunications, agriculture, renewable energy, advanced manufacturing and skills development.

He emphasized that provincial-level collaboration had become a vital pillar of Pakistan-China relations and could significantly contribute to the advancement of CPEC Phase II through industrial cooperation, agricultural modernization, technological collaboration and export-oriented growth.

During the visit, the prime minister witnessed the signing of two important cooperation documents aimed at further institutionalizing bilateral ties.

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif along with Mr. Wang Hao, Party Secretary of the CPC Zhejiang Provincial Committee witnessing the signing ceremony of MoU of Establishing Friendship Province Relationship between Zhejian & Punjab and Document of Understanding for… pic.twitter.com/urpxfuCCdu

— Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) May 23, 2026

The first was a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) establishing a sister-province relationship between Zhejiang Province and Punjab Province. The agreement seeks to expand cooperation in trade, investment, agriculture, education, culture, tourism and people-to-people exchanges.

Prime Minister Shehbaz also witnessed the signing of a Document of Understanding between Hangzhou Normal University and the Embassy of Pakistan in Beijing for the establishment of the China-Pakistan Joint Technology Research Centre at the university. The proposed centre will promote academic collaboration, applied research, technology transfer and institutional linkages between Pakistan and China.

The prime minister said that as Pakistan and China celebrate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations, the two countries were entering a new phase of practical, people-centric and development-oriented cooperation.

 Prime Minister Vows to Deepen Pakistan-China Strategic Partnership

Premier Shehbaz Sharif praised the beautiful and dynamic city of Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, and expressed gratitude to the provincial leadership for the warm welcome extended to him and his delegation during his official visit to China.

“I have arrived in the beautiful and dynamic city of Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, as part of my official visit to China,” the PM wrote on X.

I have arrived in the beautiful and dynamic city of Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, as part of my official visit to China.

I am deeply grateful to the leadership of Zhejiang Province for the warm welcome extended to me and my delegation.

We look forward to strengthening practical… pic.twitter.com/T60RoRsDrh

— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) May 23, 2026

He said, “I am deeply grateful to the leadership of Zhejiang Province for the warm hospitality extended to me and my delegation.

We look forward to enhancing practical cooperation with Zhejiang Province across diverse sectors, including the digital economy, e-commerce, information technology, telecommunications, agriculture, renewable energy, advanced manufacturing and skills development.

As Pakistan and China commemorate 75 years of diplomatic relations, I look forward to engaging with President Xi Jinping and the Chinese leadership, while reaffirming our shared commitment to further strengthening the enduring bond of friendship between our two brotherly nations.”

Long live Pakistan-China friendship!

Detailed itinerary of PM’s Hangzhou visit

According to the PMO, Prime Minister Shehbaz is scheduled to attend a business forum aimed at promoting cooperation between Pakistani and Chinese companies under the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC 2.0).

He will also participate in a ceremony for the exchange of agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), besides holding meetings with chief executive officers of leading Chinese firms.

The premier is also expected to visit the headquarters of Alibaba Group to explore opportunities for strengthening economic and technological cooperation.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja and the prime minister’s adviser Tariq Fatemi are accompanying the premier during the visit.

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif arrives in Hangzhou for his 4 day official visit to China. Vice Governor Zhejiang Province Xu Wenguang received the Prime Minister at Xiaoshan Hangzhou International Airport upon his arrival. 23 May 2026. pic.twitter.com/7jWFHxEjlT

— Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) May 23, 2026

Visit assumes added significance

A day earlier, Pakistan’s Foreign Office announced that Prime Minister Shehbaz would undertake an official visit to China from May 23 to 26.

“The visit assumes special significance as Pakistan and China commemorate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. It will provide an opportunity to reaffirm the abiding strength of the Pakistan-China all-weather strategic cooperative partnership and advance the shared vision of building an even closer Pakistan-China community with a shared future,” the Foreign Office said in a statement.

🔊PR No.1️⃣2️⃣5️⃣/2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣6️⃣

Curtain Raiser: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif to Undertake Official Visit to China https://t.co/XBGEvIy7MS

🔗⬇️ pic.twitter.com/Pd2xrzCCVd

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) May 22, 2026

During the visit, the prime minister is expected to hold meetings with President Xi Jinping and Chinese Premier Li Qiang.

According to the Foreign Office, the two sides will review bilateral cooperation in the political, economic and strategic domains, with special focus on the high-quality development of CPEC, trade and investment, industrial cooperation, agricultural modernization, information technology, science and technology, and people-to-people exchanges.

The premier will begin his engagements in Hangzhou by chairing the Pakistan-China B2B Investment Conference, while in Beijing he will attend a reception hosted by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries to mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

“The visit is expected to further deepen political trust, strengthen strategic coordination, expand practical cooperation, and consolidate the longstanding friendship between Pakistan and China,” the statement added.

لاہور: 23 مئی 2026.

وزیرِ اعظم محمد شہباز شریف اپنے چار روزہ دورہء چین کے پہلے مرحلے میں ہانگژو روانہ.

نائب وزیرِ اعظم و وزیرِ خارجہ سینیٹر محمد اسحاق ڈار، وزیرِ منصوبہ بندی احسن اقبال، وزیرِ اطلاعات و نشریات عطاء اللہ تارڑ، وزیر آئی ٹی شزہ فاطمہ خواجہ اور معاون خصوصی طارق… pic.twitter.com/owAuHidew0

— Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) May 23, 2026

Separately, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said during his weekly press briefing that the ongoing US-Iran conflict was also expected to feature in discussions between Prime Minister Shehbaz and the 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, recalling Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar’s recent visit to China.

“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.