Chinese Premier Li Qiang is set to visit Pakistan in October, marking the first visit by a Chinese premier to the country in over a decade. This three-day visit is expected to deepen bilateral relations between the two nations, with a keen focus on economic cooperation, defense ties, and regional stability. Diplomatic sources reveal that Premier Li Qiang’s visit will commence on October 14, where he will engage in high-level discussions with Pakistani officials in Islamabad.
The visit is strategically divided into two phases. During the first phase, discussions will explore a broad range of topics, including proposals for the construction of the ML-I railway track and enhancing cooperation in sectors such as information technology, artificial intelligence, and modern agriculture. In the second phase, Premier Li will participate in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit on October 15 and 16, hosted by Pakistan, where regional leaders will convene to discuss security, economic collaboration, and multilateral cooperation.
Regional Cooperation and SCO Summit
The SCO Summit, a major diplomatic event, will witness the participation of heads of government from all SCO member states. The summit’s agenda includes extensive consultations on regional security, trade, economic cooperation, and humanitarian efforts. Pakistan has also formally invited Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Indian Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal to attend the summit, highlighting its commitment to fostering regional dialogue and cooperation.
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The event will be preceded by a series of meetings involving ministers and senior officials from member states, focusing on financial, economic, socio-cultural, and humanitarian collaboration. The summit will provide an important platform for Pakistan and China to further solidify their strategic partnership through the signing of several key agreements, thereby underscoring their mutual interest in regional peace and stability.
Strengthening Pakistan-China Relations
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasized Pakistan’s desire to enhance collaboration with China during a meeting with Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong. “Pakistan aims to enhance its collaboration with China in areas such as information technology, artificial intelligence, and modern agriculture,” he stated, reflecting on the long-standing friendship that has “withstood the test of time, with China providing unwavering support to Pakistan during every challenging period.”
The upcoming visit follows a series of high-level exchanges, including the recent visit of Chinese Commander of the People’s Liberation Army Ground Forces, Gen Li Qiaoming, who engaged in discussions on regional security and defense cooperation with Pakistan’s military leadership. The meeting, described by Inter-Services Public Relations, covered matters of mutual interest, military training, and regional stability, paving the way for stronger defense ties between the two countries.
Premier Li Qiang’s visit marks a significant moment in Pakistan-China relations, coming at a time when both countries are looking to reinforce their strategic partnership. This historic visit is expected to bring tangible outcomes, including the signing of new agreements, the further strengthening of economic and defense ties, and the advancement of projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). As both nations prepare for this landmark event, they reaffirm their commitment to a shared future of peace, prosperity, and regional cooperation.