(TASSAWAR NEWS) Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif landed in Tianjin, China, on Saturday to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit, where he is expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping along with several world leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is making his first visit to China in seven years.
The two-day summit, taking place on August 31 and September 1 in the northern port city of Tianjin, will bring together more than 20 world leaders in a strong show of Global South unity. The SCO currently consists of China, Russia, India, Pakistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Belarus, while 16 other nations participate as observers or dialogue partners.
Accompanied by Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, PM Shehbaz described his visit as “historic.” In a post on X, he said:
“I look forward to meeting President Xi Jinping and other world leaders to build on Pakistan’s strong ties with China, our All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partner, and to expand regional cooperation for peace, prosperity, and stability.”
According to the Foreign Office (FO), the Prime Minister will present Pakistan’s stance on key regional and global challenges at the Council of Heads of State (CHS) meeting. He will underline Pakistan’s commitment to multilateralism, regional security, and sustainable development while also proposing strategies to strengthen the SCO’s role in promoting cooperation and stability.
PM Shehbaz is also scheduled to hold bilateral talks with President Xi and Premier Li Qiang to discuss economic, trade, and investment opportunities, as well as the broader strategic partnership between Islamabad and Beijing.
Additionally, he will join President Xi and other dignitaries at a military parade in Beijing, marking the 80th anniversary of the World’s Anti-Fascist War. His engagements also include meetings with leading Chinese business leaders and corporate executives to enhance trade and investment cooperation between the two countries.
