BEJIENG (Kashmir English): In a groundbreaking move, Al Jazeera quotes Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif as a ‘high-profile leader after his recent positive role in the US-Iran war.
According to the details, China is preparing to host another high-profile leader following recent visits by US President Donald Trump and Russia’s Vladimir Putin.
Prime Minister of Pakistan Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif is also headed towards Beijing. The meeting is expected to focus on deepening strategic and economic ties as diplomatic efforts to end the Iran war continue.
Prime Minister Sehbaz Sharif was last in China in September when he attended China’s military parade alongside Russia’s Vladimir Putin and North Korea’s Kim Jong-un.
Beijing and Islamabad describe each other as all-weather friends, but recent conflicts have made that partnership even more strategically important.
China imports large amounts of oil and gas from the Middle East, much of it passing through the Strait of Hormuz. With the war in Iran disrupting energy flows, Beijing has been looking for trusted regional partners to help protect its interests.
Pakistan has become one of them. Pakistan shares a long border with Iran and maintains close ties with the Gulf states and the US. In recent months, it has positioned itself as an important mediator.
China and Pakistan have also jointly called for a ceasefire and de-escalation. Pak is also strategically valuable to Beijing because of India. China and India are rivals in territory, military influence, and regional power.
Strong ties with Islamabad give Beijing another point of leverage in South Asia. Chinese President and PM Shehbaz Sharif will also discuss expanding trade and investment as Pakistan tries to stabilize its struggling economy, as well as security cooperation, with Beijing likely to raise the protection of Chinese nationals working in Pakistan.
Defence exports could also be on the agenda. Beijing has sold missile systems, submarines, and fighter jets to Islamabad, jets that were used in its skirmish with India last year.
China sees Pakistan as a key player in protecting its interests, from energy security and Iran, to providing a valuable counterweight to India in an increasingly unstable region.
