ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif left for China on Saturday to attend the SCO Summit 2025 in Tianjin. This visit is being described as historic and holds major significance for Pakistan’s diplomacy in the region.
The prime minister will not only attend the 25th Council of Heads of State meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation but will also join the celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of China’s victory over Fascism in World War II. These events are scheduled in Beijing and Tianjin, with world leaders participating.
During his stay, PM Shehbaz will hold important talks with President Xi Jinping and other global leaders. His agenda is to enhance regional cooperation, promote multilateralism, and work toward peace and prosperity. In a post on X, the premier said he looked forward to strengthening bilateral ties with China, Pakistan’s “All Weather Strategic Cooperative Partner,” and building stronger relations with other countries of the region.
The prime minister is also scheduled to meet Chinese Premier Li Qiang. He will take part in a military parade in Beijing to mark the 80th anniversary of the Anti-Fascist War. President Xi Jinping and several world leaders will also attend the event.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, PM Shehbaz will meet top Chinese businessmen and corporate executives. He will address the Pakistan-China B2B Investment Conference in Beijing, focusing on trade, investment, and economic cooperation.
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, and Adviser Tariq Fatemi are accompanying the premier on this crucial diplomatic mission. The Foreign Office highlighted that the visit is part of high-level exchanges to deepen the All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership. It will also push forward the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and ensure regular communication on regional and international issues.
The SCO Summit 2025 will run from August 31 to September 2 in Tianjin. A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said this year’s gathering would be the largest since the organisation’s founding in 2001. The spokesperson described the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation as “an important force in building a new type of international relations.”
Among those attending the summit are Russian President Vladimir Putin, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and leaders from Central Asia, the Middle East, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. The theme for this year is “Upholding the Shanghai Spirit: SCO on the Move.” Discussions will revolve around regional security, economic ties, trade, and the long-term strategic direction of the bloc.
The organisation, which started with six Eurasian nations, has grown to 10 permanent members along with 16 dialogue and observer states. Its role has expanded from security and counter-terrorism to broader economic and military cooperation.
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, in a separate post on X, said that Pakistan’s relationship with China was based on trust and deep strategic alignment. He praised President Xi Jinping’s initiatives, including the Belt and Road, as well as the Global Development, Security, and Civilisation Initiatives.
Dar also noted that the SCO Summit 2025 represents a pivotal Eurasian platform, advancing cooperation in security, trade, energy, connectivity, and culture. In today’s multipolar world, he said, the SCO’s role in promoting multilateralism, stability, and inclusive growth is more crucial than ever. He added that Pakistan looks forward to meaningful high-level engagements with Chinese leadership and other SCO member states during the summit.
