Reporting snapshot · 22 May 2026. This report reflects the Foreign Office briefing and reporting published on 22 May 2026 and does not include later developments.
What happened
Pakistan’s Foreign Office announced on 22 May that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will undertake an official visit to China from 23 to 26 May at the invitation of the Chinese government.
Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi told a weekly press briefing that the visit would coincide with the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China. He said it would reaffirm the two countries’ all-weather strategic cooperative partnership and advance their shared vision of a closer Pakistan-China community with a shared future.
Andrabi said the prime minister would meet China’s leadership, including President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, and that the two sides would review bilateral relations and cooperation in political, economic and strategic areas.
The visit is to begin in Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang province, where Sharif will chair a Pakistan-China business-to-business investment conference. In Beijing he will attend a reception hosted by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries to mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations.
Why it matters
The trip comes as Pakistan has acted as the principal mediator between the United States and Iran in the war that began on 28 February. Asked whether the US-Iran conflict would be on the agenda, Andrabi said it would be discussed during the leadership-level meetings, noting that Pakistan and China had maintained close coordination on the Middle East and Gulf situation and on peace efforts.
Andrabi referred to Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar’s visit to China last month, after which the two sides issued a joint statement setting out a five-point principle. He said the primary focus of the visit remained bilateral but that the regional situation would be raised.
What remains uncertain
The Foreign Office did not publish a detailed agenda for the leadership meetings or say which agreements might be signed. The statement that the US-Iran conflict would be discussed was the spokesperson’s answer to a reporter’s question rather than part of the formal visit announcement.
Sources & reporting notes
This is a summary of published reporting, not independent reporting. Sources reviewed on 2026-05-22.
- Dawn — "FO says PM Shehbaz to visit China from May 23-26"22 May 2026 · Reports the official announcement, the meetings planned and the agenda.
- Pakistan Today — "PM heads to China tomorrow to deepen strategic alignment amid regional tensions: FO"22 May 2026 · Reports the briefing, including the US-Iran conflict and the five-point principle.
