ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is expected to undertake a crucial visit to China next month, leading a high-level delegation aimed at deepening bilateral cooperation and reviewing recent regional developments, including the May skirmish with India.
Official sources told this correspondent that Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir will accompany the prime minister during the visit, which is likely to take place in August. Diplomatic channels are currently finalising the exact dates.
This trip by Pakistan’s top civil and military leadership carries added significance, coming on the heels of a brief but intense four-day conflict with India earlier this year, during which Pakistan’s Air Force reportedly downed six Indian fighter jets, including French-made Rafale aircraft.
The May conflict drew the attention of Western capitals towards China’s role as a defence supplier to Pakistan. Chinese-made J-10C fighter jets, equipped with advanced PL-15 beyond-visual-range missiles, played a decisive role in the aerial engagements. However, officials emphasised that Pakistan’s own systems integration and operational planning enhanced the effectiveness of Chinese platforms.
During a recent visit to Pakistan, China’s Air Force chief expressed keen interest in Pakistan’s combat experience and multi-domain operational capabilities.
Notably, India’s Deputy Chief of Army Staff recently described the hostilities as part of a “two-front conflict”, indirectly pointing to China’s involvement alongside Pakistan. Responding to this assertion, a senior Chinese official reportedly laughed off the suggestion, reiterating that while Beijing maintains strong defence ties with Islamabad, it does not wish to see conflict between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. “China continues to encourage both countries to resolve their differences through dialogue,” the official said.
It is worth mentioning that Pakistan procures nearly 80 per cent of its military hardware from China. However, in a recent Corps Commanders’ Conference, General Munir underscored that the May conflict was “unmistakably bilateral”.
Meanwhile, ahead of the prime minister’s visit, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is scheduled to travel to China this week. According to the Foreign Office, Dar will lead Pakistan’s delegation at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) meeting from July 14 to 16 in Tianjin, at the invitation of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
The meeting will bring together foreign ministers from all SCO member states, including Pakistan, China, India, Iran, Russia, and Central Asian republics. Belarus will participate for the first time as a full member.
The CFM is the third-highest decision-making body within the SCO framework, discussing foreign policy and security matters and finalising documents and declarations for consideration by the Council of Heads of State (CHS), which will next convene from August 31 to September 1, 2025, in Tianjin.
During his visit, Dar is also expected to hold bilateral meetings with counterparts on the sidelines of the summit.
