CPEC 2.0 in focus as PM Shehbaz visits China

Pakistan, China look to deepen trade, technology and strategic cooperation as ties mark 75 years

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, on Saturday for what the Chinese Foreign Ministry described as an “important high-level exchange” between the two countries as they mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations.

I have arrived in the beautiful and dynamic city of Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, as part of my official visit to China.

I am deeply grateful to the leadership of Zhejiang Province for the warm welcome extended to me and my delegation.

We look forward to strengthening practical… pic.twitter.com/T60RoRsDrh

— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) May 23, 2026

“China hopes that both sides will take the visit as an opportunity to carry forward the traditional friendship, deepen cooperation across the board, and write a new chapter in building an even closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era,” a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said.

The visit — from May 23 to 26 — is expected to highlight a new chapter in the 75-year-old China-Pakistan relationship, which has long been recognised for mutual trust and enduring cooperation despite changing international circumstances, according to a commentary published on China’s CGTN website.

At a ceremony held in Islamabad on Thursday, PM Shehbaz praised the “steadfast” Pakistan-China friendship, saying China had consistently stood by Pakistan during both prosperity and hardship. “Earthquakes, floods, peace and difficult times — China has always supported Pakistan in an unwavering fashion,” he said.

Delighted to be in beautiful Hangzhou, China with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif @CMShehbaz and members of Pakistan delegation.

Look forward to several engagements including leadership meetings and participation in Pakistan-China B2B Investment Conference in Hangzhou tomorrow… pic.twitter.com/wh6nowxxBH

— Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) May 23, 2026

Over the past 75 years, Pakistan and China have maintained steadily expanding ties. In 2015, the two countries elevated their relations to an all-weather strategic cooperative partnership and later agreed to build a closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era.

Qian Feng, director of the research department at the National Strategy Institute at Tsinghua University, said the visit reflected Pakistan’s willingness to attract more Chinese private enterprises and inject fresh momentum into bilateral economic cooperation.

Read More: PM Shehbaz arrives in Hangzhou on four-day official visit to China

Economic cooperation under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), launched in 2013, remains the cornerstone of bilateral ties. Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong, in a recent article, described CPEC as a flagship project of the Belt and Road Initiative, saying it had attracted more than $25.9 billion in direct investment and created over 260,000 jobs in Pakistan.

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif met Wang Hao, Party Secretary of the CPC Zhejiang Provincial Committee in Hangzhou on Saturday and discussed matters related to bilateral cooperation. PHOTO: APP

According to Chinese officials, CPEC projects have added over 8,000MW to Pakistan’s power capacity, developed 510km of roads and 886km of transmission lines, while Gwadar Port has been expanded into a major regional hub capable of handling large cargo vessels. The Suki Kinari Hydropower Project in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa is also generating 884MW of clean energy, reducing dependence on coal and lowering carbon emissions.

Pakistan’s Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal said CPEC had significantly strengthened Pakistan’s energy security, infrastructure and regional connectivity while laying the foundations for a modern economic framework.

During the seventh round of the China-Pakistan Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue in January, both countries agreed to align development priorities further and accelerate work on an upgraded version of the corridor, commonly referred to as CPEC 2.0.

Also Read: Pak-China friendship 'time-tested and unbreakable', says PM Shehbaz on 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations

“CPEC is now entering its second phase, marking a strategic shift from infrastructure development to industrialisation, innovation and inclusive growth,” Iqbal said, adding that both sides hoped to transform the project into a corridor of “hope, innovation, opportunity and prosperity.”

Expert on Pakistan-China and Afghanistan affairs, Rashid Safi, described PM Shehbaz’s visit as strategically important for regional stability, economic cooperation and strengthening bilateral relations.

He said the visit was taking place at a critical moment as both countries celebrated 75 years of diplomatic relations amid shifting geopolitical dynamics, economic challenges and regional security concerns. “In this context, the visit is being viewed as a major effort to give a new direction to the future partnership between the two brotherly countries,” he told APP.

According to Safi, the visit goes beyond formal diplomacy and is aimed at achieving progress in economic cooperation, investment, technology, media, information technology, industrial collaboration, agriculture and regional connectivity.

He said the prime minister’s first stop in Hangzhou was particularly significant because the city is regarded as one of China’s leading centres for advanced technology, e-commerce, artificial intelligence and the digital economy.

Safi added that the prime minister’s expected visit to Alibaba Group headquarters would carry special importance as Pakistan seeks to accelerate digitalisation, e-commerce expansion and IT exports. He added that under CPEC 2.0, both countries were now placing special emphasis on industrial zones, exports, youth employment, agricultural reforms, technology transfer and regional trade connectivity.

“Pakistan seeks to accelerate economic growth through the relocation of Chinese industries, manufacturing and investment, while China sees Pakistan as an important trade, logistics and economic hub in the region,” he said.

Regional and global developments are also expected to feature prominently during the visit, particularly tensions involving the United States and Iran, the Middle East situation, developments in the Arabian Sea, energy supply routes, Afghanistan and broader regional stability.

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif @CMShehbaz and Pakistan delegation met H.E. Wang Hao, and his delegation, Party Secretary of Zhejiang Province, in Hangzhou this evening.

The Prime Minister underscored the vitality of the Pakistan-China All-Weather Strategic Cooperative… pic.twitter.com/oNtc6LSMYK

— Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) May 23, 2026

Safi said both Pakistan and China favoured dialogue, diplomacy and economic cooperation over conflict, arguing that connectivity and confidence-building remained essential for regional prosperity. He also praised China’s governance and public security systems, saying many Chinese cities had become examples of discipline, safety and public trust.

“In various Chinese cities, both local residents and foreign tourists enjoy an extremely secure environment,” he said, adding that public activity late into the night and the safe movement of women, families and foreigners reflected the success of China’s governance model.

According to Safi, the long-standing Pakistan-China friendship extends beyond diplomacy, with both countries consistently supporting each other during difficult periods.

“That is why Pakistan-China ties are globally recognised as an all-weather strategic cooperative partnership,” he said, adding that celebrations marking 75 years of diplomatic relations reflected the commitment of both nations to shared development, regional stability, economic cooperation and a more connected Asia.

(With additional input from Agencies)