Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is due to hold talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang in Beijing on Monday, as the two countries mark 75 years of diplomatic relations.

The meetings are expected to focus on deepening economic and strategic cooperation, with officials from both sides set to oversee the signing of multiple agreements. The visit is part of a four-day official trip to China running from 23 to 26 May.

What is the purpose of Sharif’s visit to China?

Sharif travelled to China to advance bilateral cooperation across trade, infrastructure, energy and investment, with Pakistan’s Prime Minister’s Office confirming discussions on regional security with China’s top leadership.

The visit also carries symbolic weight, coinciding with the 75th anniversary of formal diplomatic ties established in 1951. MoUs and agreements worth more than $7 billion were signed during the trip.

What agreements were signed during the Pakistan-China visit?

Officials from both countries signed several memorandums of understanding covering trade, infrastructure, energy and investment. Sharif began his trip in Hangzhou, where he chaired a Business-to-Business Investment Conference and visited Alibaba’s headquarters to sign agreements in the technology and e-commerce sectors.

The signings reflect Islamabad’s push to attract fresh Chinese investment and strengthen ties with its largest trading partner.

Sharif also met senior executives and investors from leading Chinese companies as part of the visit. Pakistan is seeking to deepen economic links with China, which has invested heavily in the country through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, a flagship component of President Xi’s Belt and Road Initiative.

What is CPEC Phase 2 and why does it matter for Pakistan?

Talks between Sharif and Chinese leaders centered on advancing the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, known as CPEC 2.0. The new phase is expected to focus on agriculture, information technology, mining and energy, expanding beyond the infrastructure and power projects that defined the first phase.

China has long been Pakistan’s most significant economic and strategic partner, making CPEC a cornerstone of the bilateral relationship.

What ceremonial events marked the 75th anniversary of Pakistan-China relations?

Sharif, accompanied by his delegation, is scheduled to visit Tiananmen Square to lay a floral wreath at the Monument to the People’s Heroes, a ceremonial gesture commonly included in official visits by foreign leaders.

The Pakistani leader was formally welcomed at the Great Hall of the People with a guard of honor before holding delegation-level talks with Premier Li.

China’s Xinhua News Agency reported that Sharif also joined President Xi and other world leaders at a military parade in Beijing, held to mark the 80th anniversary of a separate commemorative event. The visit marks Sharif’s first trip to China since the Pakistan-India conflict earlier in May, following the Pahalgam incident.