2024 official visit by Shehbaz Sharif to China: Difference between revisions

{{Infobox event

| title= 2024 official visit by Shehbaz Sharif to China

| image= 2024-6-7 Shehbaz Sharif visits to China 2.png

| image_size= 250px

| caption=

| native_name=

| native_name_lang=

| english_name=

| date= June 4 to 8, 2024

| time=

| venue= [[Shenzhen]], [[Beijing]] and [[Xi'an]]

| place=

| cause=

| organisers=

{{plainlist|

* [[Government of Pakistan]]

* [[Government of China]]

}}

{{Shehbaz Sharif sidebar}}

At the invitation of [[Premier of the People's Republic of China]] [[Li Qiang]], [[Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan]] [[Shahbaz Sharif]] '''pays an official visit to China''' from June 4th to 8th, 2024.<ref name="f121">{{cite web | last=Hussain | first=Abid | title=Sharif’s Beijing trip: Can China-Pakistan Economic Corridor be revived? | website=Al Jazeera | date=2024-06-03 | url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/6/3/sharifs-beijing-trip-can-china-pakistan-economic-corridor-be-revived | access-date=2024-06-09}}</ref><ref name="a337">{{cite web | title=外交部介绍巴基斯坦总理夏巴兹访华安排-新华网 | website=新华网_让新闻离你更近 | date=2024-05-31 | url=http://www.news.cn/20240531/b3c2ba4862a849ea8a5f203af51491c7/c.html | language=zh | access-date=2024-06-08}}</ref><ref name="c405">{{cite web | last=Sengupta | first=Arjun | title=As Shehbaz visits China, the hope and unfulfilled promise of CPEC | website=The Indian Express | date=2024-06-07 | url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-global/as-shehbaz-visits-china-the-hope-and-unfulfilled-promise-of-cpec-9376912/ | access-date=2024-06-09}}</ref><ref name="y776">{{cite web | title=Pakistan PM Sharif to visit China June 4-8, foreign ministry says | website=Reuters | date=2024-05-31 | url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/pakistan-pm-sharif-visit-china-june-4-8-foreign-ministry-says-2024-05-31/ | access-date=2024-06-09}}</ref>

The two sides discuss further strengthening the all-weather strategic partnership between the two countries, upgrading the [[China-Pakistan Economic Corridor]], promoting trade and investment, enhancing cooperation in the fields of security and defense, energy, aerospace, science and technology, and education; and promoting humanistic cooperation and humanistic exchanges to lead the future trajectory of Pakistan-China friendship.<ref name="z103" /><ref name="a471">{{cite web | last=Cash | first=Joe | title=Pakistani Prime Minister Sharif meets China's Xi in Beijing ahead of IMF talks | website=Reuters | date=2024-06-07 | url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/pakistan-prime-minister-sharif-meets-chinas-xi-beijing-ahead-imf-talks-2024-06-07/ | access-date=2024-06-09}}</ref><ref name="g125">{{cite web | title=Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chinese President Xi agree to upgrade CPEC | website=The Economic Times | date=2024-06-08 | url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/world-news/pakistan-prime-minister-shehbaz-sharif-chinese-president-xi-agree-to-upgrade-cpec/articleshow/110814008.cms?from=mdr | access-date=2024-06-09}}</ref><ref name="b686">{{cite web | title=Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif to visit China in May | website=Arab News | date=2024-04-20 | url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/2496271/pakistan | access-date=2024-06-09}}</ref>

== Background ==

On May 30, 2024, China successfully launched the Pakistani multi-mission communications satellite from the [[Xichang Satellite Launch Center]] using a [[Long March 3B]] carrier rocket, and the satellite was successfully placed in its intended orbit. The Prime Minister [[Shahbaz Sharif]] congratulated the launch.<ref name="y587">{{cite web | title=巴基斯坦总理祝贺中国成功发射巴多任务通信卫星-新华网 | website=新华网_让新闻离你更近 | date=2024-05-31 | url=http://www.news.cn/20240531/68a36d75b66e4fec916029cff49eb1df/c.html | language=zh | access-date=2024-06-08}}</ref>

At the regular press conference held on May 31, 2024, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman [[Mao Ning (diplomat)|Mao Ning]] said that China looks forward to working with the Pakistani side to take this visit as an opportunity to jointly promote greater development of China-Pakistan all-weather strategic cooperative partnership, and to build a closer China-Pakistan community of destiny in the new era to take new steps. <ref name="w230">{{cite web | title=巴基斯坦总理夏巴兹将访华 中方介绍此访安排及期待-中新网 | website=中国新闻网_梳理天下新闻 | date=2024-05-31 | url=http://www.chinanews.com.cn/gn/2024/05-31/10226514.shtml | language=zh | access-date=2024-06-08}}</ref>

On June 3, 2024, [[Mumtaz Zahra Baloch]], the spokesman for [[Pakistan's Foreign Ministry]], announced at a press conference about Shehbaz Sharif's China visit. Apart from Beijing, the Prime Minister will also visit Xi'an and Shenzhen. The spokesman said a key element of the premier's visit will be to meet with executives of leading Chinese companies in the fields of oil and gas, energy, information and communications technology and emerging technologies.<ref name="z103">{{cite web | title= 外交部：总理将于6月4日至8日访问中国 | website=Chinese Service | date=2024-06-03 | url=https://chinese.app.com.pk/2024/06/03/23285/ | access-date=2024-06-09}}</ref>

On June 4, the new [[Gwadar International Airport]] in [[Gwadar]], Pakistan, conducted a five-day flight test, marking the upcoming final sprint of the project, which is one of the flagship projects of the [[China-Pakistan Economic Corridor]].<ref name="n944">{{cite web | title=中国援巴基斯坦瓜达尔新国际机场开展校飞试验-新华网 | website=新华网_让新闻离你更近 | date=2024-06-05 | url=http://www.news.cn/photo/20240605/36a874bee0f64a0283a85e54991642ce/c.html?page=2 | language=zh | access-date=2024-06-08}}</ref>

== Meeting ==

=== Shenzhen ===

On June 4, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif arrived in [[Shenzhen]], [[Guangdong]]. On his arrival at [[Shenzhen Airport]], the Prime Minister was greeted by the Deputy Mayor of Shenzhen, the Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan, the Pakistani Ambassador to China and senior diplomatic officials.<ref name="c553">{{cite web | last=Desk | first=Web | title=PM Shehbaz lands in China's Shenzhen on first leg of his official visit | website=Geo.tv | date=2024-06-04 | url=https://www.geo.tv/latest/547504-pm-shehbaz-embarks-on-five-day-visit-to-china | access-date=2024-06-09}}</ref> During his two-day visit to Shenzhen, Prime Minister Shahbaz and his delegation met with leaders of the Guangdong and Shenzhen governments, as well as leading Chinese companies in the field of innovation and high technology. He also inaugurated the [[Pakistan-China Business Conference]],<ref name="e983">{{cite web | title= 总理抵达深圳，开始为期五天的中国之行的第一站 | website= Associated Press of Pakistan Chinese Service | date=2024-06-04 | url=https://chinese.app.com.pk/2024/06/04/23356/ | access-date=2024-06-09}}</ref> where he assured full facilitation to Chinese investors and security of Chinese individuals, projects and investments in Pakistan, emphasizing that mutually beneficial business-to-business cooperation is the key to a better future for the people of both countries.<ref name="a315">{{cite web | title=总理保证中国投资的便利和安全;强调B2B合作共创美好未来 | website=Chinese Service | date=2024-06-05 | url=https://chinese.app.com.pk/2024/06/05/23398/ | access-date=2024-06-09}}</ref><ref name="e304">{{cite web | title=PM Shehbaz reaches China on five-day visit for high-level talks | website=SAMAA TV | date=2024-06-09 | url=https://www.samaa.tv/index.php/2087315922-pm-shehbaz-leaves-for-five-day-china-visit-for-high-level-talks | access-date=2024-06-09}}</ref>

On June 5, the chairman of [[Transsion Holdings]] paid a visit to the Prime Minister on June 5, expressing Transsion's intention to increase its investment in the cell phone manufacturing business, investing in electric bicycles, modern agriculture, cell phones and other fields.<ref name="a016">{{cite web | title=中国企业有兴趣投资巴基斯坦手机、电动自行车、金融科技等行业 | website=Chinese Service | date=2024-06-05 | url=https://chinese.app.com.pk/2024/06/05/23389/ | access-date=2024-06-09}}</ref> Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif visited [[Huawei]]'s Shenzhen headquarters and invited the company to invest in Pakistan's tax and e-government sectors.<ref name="a895">{{cite web | title=巴基斯坦总理邀请华为投资巴基斯坦安全城市、税务、电子政务等领域 | website=Chinese Service | date=2024-06-05 | url=https://chinese.app.com.pk/2024/06/05/23405/ | access-date=2024-06-09}}</ref>

=== Beijing ===

[[File:2024-6-7 Shehbaz Sharif visits to China.png|thumb|right|230px|Prime Minister Shahbaz met with Chinese President [[Xi Jinping]] at the [[Great Hall of the People]]]]

On June 5, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif arrived in [[Beijing]], the capital of China, and was greeted by Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister [[Sun Weidong]].<ref name="g806">{{cite web | title= 总理抵达北京，开始为期五天的中国之行的第二站 | website=Chinese Service Associated Press of Pakistan | date=2024-06-05 | url=https://chinese.app.com.pk/2024/06/05/23408/ | access-date=2024-06-09}}</ref>

On June 6, Sharif met with the Chairman of [[China North Industries Corporation]] (CNIC) and emphasized that the Government of Pakistan is taking measures to promote ease of doing business and has set up a [[Special Investment Facilitation Committee]] (SIFC) for this purpose. He invited CNIC to invest in Pakistan's communication infrastructure projects, especially [[Karachi Circular Railway]].<ref name="g197">{{cite web | title= 总理邀请中国北方工业公司投资 KCR 等通信项目 | website=Chinese Service Associated Press of Pakistan| date=2024-06-06 | url=https://chinese.app.com.pk/2024/06/06/23421/ | access-date=2024-06-09}}</ref> Prime Minister Sharif also met with the Chairman of [[Export-Import Bank of China]] (EXIM). During the meeting, the Prime Minister emphasized the government's reform agenda, focusing on governance, taxation and ease of doing business to attract [[foreign direct investment]].<ref name="i249">{{cite web | title= 总理告诉中国进出口银行行长：政府的改革措施开始产生成果 | website=Chinese Service Associated Press of Pakistan | date=2024-06-06 | url=https://chinese.app.com.pk/2024/06/06/23418/ | access-date=2024-06-09}}</ref>

On the morning of June 7, Chinese Premier [[Li Qiang]] held talks at the Great Hall of the People with Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz.<ref name="g707">{{cite web | last=Momand | first=Abdullah | title=PM Shehbaz, President Xi agree to upgrade CPEC, advance development in 2nd phase | website=DAWN.COM | date=2024-06-07 | url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1838396/pm-shehbaz-chinese-premier-resolve-to-protect-cpec-from-detractors-adversaries-fo | access-date=2024-06-09}}</ref> After the talks, the two premiers witnessed the signing of a number of bilateral cooperation documents in the fields of transportation, industry, agriculture, market regulation, people's livelihood, film and television, and capacity building.<ref name="u409">{{cite web | title=李强同巴基斯坦总理夏巴兹会谈-中新网 | website=中国新闻网_梳理天下新闻 | date=2024-06-07 | url=https://www.chinanews.com.cn/gn/2024/06-07/10230661.shtml | language=zh | access-date=2024-06-08}}</ref>

In the afternoon, Chinese President [[Xi Jinping]] met with Prime Minister Shahbaz at the [[Great Hall of the People]]. <ref name="e355">{{cite web | title=China says it is willing to upgrade economic corridor with Pakistan and deepen ties with Brazil | website=AP News | date=2024-06-07 | url=https://apnews.com/article/china-pakistan-brazil-sharif-xi-alckmin-840a87521d23a6a00b053098f22c23cd | access-date=2024-06-09}}</ref><ref name="f444">{{cite web | title=习近平会见巴基斯坦总理夏巴兹-中新网 | website=中国新闻网_梳理天下新闻 | date=2024-06-08 | url=http://www.chinanews.com.cn/gn/2024/06-07/10230614.shtml | language=zh | access-date=2024-06-08}}</ref> President Xi said China has always prioritized the development of China-Pakistan relations in its neighboring diplomacy.<ref name="o369">{{cite web | title=习近平会见巴基斯坦总理夏巴兹-中新网 | website=中国新闻网_梳理天下新闻 | date=2024-06-08 | url=https://www.chinanews.com.cn/tp/hd2011/2024/06-08/1109683.shtml | language=zh | access-date=2024-06-08}}</ref><ref name="p242">{{cite web | title=习近平会见巴基斯坦总理：中方始终将发展中巴关系置于周边外交优先方向-中新网 | website=中国新闻网_梳理天下新闻 | date=2024-06-07 | url=http://www.chinanews.com.cn/gn/2024/06-07/10230576.shtml | language=zh | access-date=2024-06-08}}</ref> The two leaders also reaffirmed their consensus on upgrading the [[China–Pakistan Economic Corridor|China-Pakistan Economic Corridor]] (CPEC) and advancing the construction of the second phase of mega projects.<ref name="q777">{{cite web | title=PM envisions CPEC Phase II deepening bilateral ties | website=The Express Tribune | date=2024-06-05 | url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2470147/pm-envisions-cpec-phase-ii-deepening-bilateral-ties | access-date=2024-06-09}}</ref><ref name="c140">{{cite web | title= 中巴同意升级中巴经济走廊，推进第二阶段发展 | website=Chinese Service Associated Press of Pakistan | date=2024-06-08 | url=https://chinese.app.com.pk/2024/06/08/23493/ | access-date=2024-06-09}}</ref><ref name="b710">{{cite web | last=Ahmad | first=Ashwin | title=China, Pakistan Agree To Strengthen Cooperation | website=StratNews Global | date=2024-06-09 | url=https://stratnewsglobal.com/world-news/china-pakistan-agree-to-strengthen-mining-oil-and-gas-cooperation/ | access-date=2024-06-09}}</ref>

On the same day, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the [[National People's Congress]] (NPC) [[Zhao Leji]] met with Prime Minister Shahbaz.<ref name="n527">{{cite web | title=China's top legislator meets with Pakistani PM | website=People's Daily Online | date=2024-06-08 | url=http://en.people.cn/n3/2024/0608/c90000-20179542.html | access-date=2024-06-09}}</ref><ref name="b165">{{cite web | title=赵乐际会见巴基斯坦总理夏巴兹-中新网 | website=中国新闻网_梳理天下新闻 | date=2024-06-07 | url=http://www.chinanews.com.cn/tp/hd2011/2024/06-07/1109675.shtml | language=zh | access-date=2024-06-08}}</ref>

=== Xi'an ===

On the evening of June 7, Prime Minister Shabazz arrived in Shaanxi for a visit.<ref name="f994">{{cite web | title=巴基斯坦总理夏巴兹·谢里夫抵达陕西 | website=西部网（陕西新闻网） | date=2024-06-08 | url=http://m.cnwest.com/sxxw/a/2024/06/08/22640909.html | language=zh | access-date=2024-06-08}}</ref><ref name="k616">{{cite web | title=PM Shehbaz visits historical Chinese museum in Xi'an | website=The News International | date=2024-06-08 | url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1198289-pm-shehbaz-visits-historical-chinese-museum-in-xian-on-president-xis-invitation | access-date=2024-06-09}}</ref>

On June 8, Prime Minister Shahbaz visited the [[Terracotta Warriors Museum]], a historical site in China,<ref name="l733">{{cite web | title=Shehbaz Sharif visits Terracotta Warriors Museum in Xi'an, China | website=RADIO PAKISTAN | date=2024-06-09 | url=https://www.radio.gov.pk/08-06-2024/pm-visits-terracotta-warriors-museum-in-xian-china | access-date=2024-06-09}}</ref> accompanied by a Pakistani delegation.<ref name="n964">{{cite web | title= 总理参观西安历史悠久的中国兵马俑博物馆 | website=Chinese Service | date=2024-06-08 | url=https://chinese.app.com.pk/2024/06/08/23499/ | access-date=2024-06-08}}</ref><ref name="i744">{{cite web | title=PM Shehbaz visits historical Terracotta Warriors of Xi’an on Chinese President Xi Jinping’s invitation | website=DAWN.COM | date=2024-06-08 | url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1838618 | access-date=2024-06-09}}</ref> On the same day, Prime Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif met with [[Zhao Yide]], the [[Communist Party Secretary of Shaanxi|Secretary of Shaanxi Provincial Party Committee]]. During the meeting, the Prime Minister emphasized the need to promote cooperation between the two sides in trade, technology, agriculture and tourism through pragmatic inter-city cooperation, taking advantage of Xi'an's sister-city relations with [[Lahore]] and [[Multan]].<ref name="x460">{{cite web | title= 总理强调需要利用西安和与拉合尔，木尔坦的友好城市关系 | website=Chinese Service Associated Press of Pakistan | date=2024-06-08 | url=https://chinese.app.com.pk/2024/06/08/23507/ | access-date=2024-06-09}}</ref><ref name="k616">{{cite web | title=PM Shehbaz visits historical Chinese museum in Xi'an | website=The News International | date=2024-06-08 | url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1198289-pm-shehbaz-visits-historical-chinese-museum-in-xian-on-president-xis-invitation | access-date=2024-06-09}}</ref><ref name="f141">{{cite web | last=Desk | first=Web | title=PM Shehbaz returns home with ‘enhanced cooperation’ pacts with China | website=ARY NEWS | date=2024-06-08 | url=https://arynews.tv/pm-shehbaz-returns-home-with-enhanced-cooperation-pacts-with-china/ | access-date=2024-06-09}}</ref>

== See also ==

*[[China-Pakistan Economic Corridor]]

*[[State visit by Xi Jinping to Pakistan]]

== Reference ==

{{Reflist}}

{{Shehbaz Sharif}}

{{China–Pakistan relations}}

[[Category:Shehbaz Sharif]]

[[Category:China–Pakistan relations]]

[[Category:2024 in Beijing]]

[[Category:2024 in Shenzhen]]

[[Category:2024 in Xi'an]]

[[Category:Diplomatic visits to China]]