Following the visits of US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, China is readying itself to welcome yet another top world leader.
The internationally reputable media outlet Al Jazeera also called the PM Shehbaz Sharif a high-profile leader visiting China.
Diplomatic efforts to avoid further escalation of the Iran war are continuing with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif heading to Beijing for talks that are likely to involve promoting Pakistan’s strategic, economic and security cooperation.
Sharif made his last trip to China in September when he joined Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in the Chinese military parade.
Long regarded as an “all-weather friendship,” Beijing-Islamabad relations have become even more strategic due to increasing instability in the region.
China is a major importer of oil and gas from the Middle East including through the Strait of Hormuz.
China has looked to trusted regional partners like Pakistan for support to ensure its interests in the region are safeguarded, given the increasingly strained relationship with Iran over energy supply.
Furthermore, Pakistan is strategically located, with a long border with Iran and close proximity to Gulf countries and the US as well.
Islamabad has also sought to emerge as a possible diplomatic liaison in the crisis in recent months.
China and Pakistan have both called for a ceasefire and de-escalation in the area.
In addition, Pakistan is strategically significant to Beijing due to the territorial, military and regional power dispute between the two rivals.
On the sidelines of the visit, Xi Jinping and Shehbaz Sharif will be engaging in talks to further expand trade, investment, and economic cooperation, while Pakistan strives to overcome its struggling economy.
The issue of security cooperation will also be on the agenda, especially for safeguarding Chinese nationals who are working in Pakistan.
Defence exports are also expected to feature in the talks, as China is still making arms sales to Pakistan including the missile systems, submarines and fighter planes, thereby strengthening the military relations between the two countries.
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