Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif landed in Hangzhou on Saturday in the first phase of his four-day visit to China, the Government of Pakistan’s official X account stated.
Upon his arrival at Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport, PM Shehbaz was welcomed by Deputy Governor of Zhejiang Xu Wenguang, Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong, and Pakistan’s Ambassador to China Khalil Hashmi.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja, and Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi are accompanying the premier on his visit.
وزیرِ اعظم محمد شہباز شریف اپنے چار روزہ دورہء چین کے پہلے مرحلے میں ہانگژو پہنچ گئے ہیں.
شیاؤ شین ائیرپورٹ ہانگژو پہنچنے پر نائب گورنر ژجیانگ شو وینگوانگ (Xu Wenguang)، چین کے پاکستان میں سفیر جیانگ زائیڈونگ اور پاکستان کے چین میں سفیر خلیل ہاشمی نے وزیرِ اعظم کا استقبال کیا.… pic.twitter.com/dAEW079sve
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) May 23, 2026
In a statement issued shortly after his arrival, the premier expressed gratitude to the provincial leadership for the reception accorded to the Pakistani delegation.
“I have arrived in the beautiful and dynamic city of Hangzhou, as part of my official visit to China,” PM Shehbaz said in a statement on X.
“I am deeply grateful to the leadership of Zhejiang Province for the warm welcome extended to me and my delegation,” he added.
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
The prime minister said Pakistan was keen to expand cooperation with Zhejiang Province in a range of sectors, particularly those linked to technology and economic development.
“We look forward to strengthening practical cooperation with Zhejiang Province across diverse fields, including the digital economy, e-commerce, information technology, telecommunications, agriculture, renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, and skills development,” he said.
Referring to the longstanding ties between Islamabad and Beijing, the premier said the visit coincided with a significant milestone in bilateral relations.
“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,” he said.
Similarly, DPM Dar said he was “delighted” to be in Hangzhou alongside the prime minister and members of the Pakistani delegation during the visit.
“Delighted to be in beautiful Hangzhou, China with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and members of Pakistan delegation,” Dar said in a statement shared on X.
Delighted to be in beautiful Hangzhou, China with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif @CMShehbaz and members of Pakistan delegation.
Look forward to several engagements including leadership meetings and participation in Pakistan-China B2B Investment Conference in Hangzhou tomorrow… pic.twitter.com/wh6nowxxBH
— Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) May 23, 2026
He said the delegation was looking forward to a series of engagements during the visit, including high-level meetings and participation in the Pakistan-China Business-to-Business Investment Conference scheduled to take place in Hangzhou on May 24.
The foreign minister said the visit carried added importance as Islamabad and Beijing marked a major milestone in bilateral relations.
“The Prime Minister’s visit and our engagements carry special significance as Pakistan and China celebrate 75 years of their ironclad friendship,” he said.
According to the government’s post, while in Hangzhou, PM Shehbaz will meet Party Secretary of Zhejiang Province Wang Hao, participate in a business forum held to promote cooperation between Pakistani and Chinese companies under CPEC Phase-II, and attend the ceremony for the exchange of agreements and memorandums of understanding (MoUs).
Further, the premier will hold meetings with the CEOs of prominent Chinese companies and will visit the headquarters of Alibaba, participating in the signing ceremony of MoUs on cooperation.
Read: Pak-China friendship ‘time-tested and unbreakable’, says PM Shehbaz on 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations
Earlier, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) announced the prime minister’s departure for China in an official visit aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and economic cooperation.
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
According to the MOFA, after concluding his engagements in Hangzhou, the prime minister will depart for Beijing, where he would hold meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang.
“While in the capital, PM Shehbaz will participate in an event marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China,” MOFA stated.
The ministry added that in Beijing, too, the premier would hold a meeting with heads of prominent Chinese companies. He would also visit the China Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS).
“The prime minister’s visit to China will add new dimensions to Pakistan-China relations, particularly including enhanced cooperation with Pakistani and Chinese companies under CPEC Phase-II,” MOFA stated.
Last month, President Asif Ali Zardari also completed a five-day visit to China, during which both countries signed multiple MoUs aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation in desalination, agricultural technology, and the tea industry. This move is expected to boost investment, technology transfer, and economic ties between the two countries.
The first MoU was concluded between the Government of Sindh and Lucion Environmental Technology Group for collaboration on a seawater desalination project in Karachi. The project aims to enhance the city’s water supply by making seawater usable through modern technology.
The second MoU focused on cooperation in agricultural technology. Sharjeel Inam Memon signed it on behalf of the Sindh government and Chen Zhixin, chairman of Longping High-Tech Information Company, signed for the Chinese side.
The third MoU, relating to the tea sector, was signed between MESKAY & FEMTEE Trading Company, Hunan Tea Group and Jiaolong International Technology in Hainan.
Earlier in January, Pakistan and China agreed to align their development strategies and build an upgraded version of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, known as CPEC 2.0, during wide-ranging talks in Beijing that also covered political ties, security cooperation and regional and international issues.
As part of their economic engagement, Pakistan and China agreed to develop an upgraded CPEC, a pioneering project of the Belt and Road Initiative. The two sides said the new phase would focus on the key sectors of industry, agriculture and mining, promote the building and operation of Gwadar Port, ensure the smooth passage of the Karakoram Highway, and enhance Pakistan’s capacity for sustainable development.
They also agreed to deepen cooperation in trade and investment, information technology, science and technology, cybersecurity, technical and vocational training and education, and people-to-people and cultural exchanges.
The two sides stated that the year-round opening of the Khunjerab Pass would facilitate two-way trade and further strengthen people-to-people contacts. They also welcomed third-party participation in CPEC cooperation in accordance with the modalities agreed by both countries.Latest News, Breaking News & Top News Stories | The Express TribuneWeb DeskRead More