Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited Beijing and Zhejiang province from May 23 to May 26, 2026, marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Pakistan [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. During the visit, Sharif met Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang to discuss political, economic, and strategic cooperation, including the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor [3, 4, 5].
Sharif chaired the Pakistan-China B2B Investment Conference in Hangzhou focusing on IT, telecom, battery energy storage, and agriculture sectors [2, 5]. The visit aimed to strengthen the "all-weather strategic cooperative partnership" and deepen coordination on multiple fronts [3, 4, 5].
China expressed its support for Pakistan's role in mediating the ongoing war between the US and Iran. Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said, "China supports Pakistan in playing a fair and balanced mediating role in promoting peace and ending the war" [1]. He added China will work with Pakistan and the international community "to make positive contributions to restoring peace and stability in the Middle East at an early date" [4].
The conflict began on February 28, 2026, with military strikes on Tehran, involving Israel, the US, and Iran, resulting in over 3,300 deaths [1, 6, 3, 4, 5]. Pakistan secured a fragile ceasefire on April 8, halting active hostilities [1, 6, 4, 5]. Pakistani Army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir visited Tehran to meet Iranian leaders on May 21 as part of ongoing mediation efforts [1, 3].
China’s role in the Middle East mediation has been quieter and more facilitative compared to Pakistan’s public efforts [1, 6]. Ahead of Sharif’s visit, Chinese President Xi Jinping hosted US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Beijing in May amid regional diplomatic talks [1, 6, 3, 4, 5]. China has called for an immediate halt to hostilities, peaceful talks, protection of shipping lanes, and respect for the UN Charter in the region [4].
Sharif’s visit concludes May 26, capping a four-day diplomatic and economic engagement designed to bolster Pakistan-China relations and advance regional peace efforts [1, 2, 6, 3, 4, 5].
