Shehbaz Sharif to Visit China as Islamabad and Beijing Push Middle East Diplomacy

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will travel to China from Saturday to Tuesday for high-level talks with Chinese leaders, as both countries continue diplomatic efforts aimed at easing tensions in the Middle East following the recent conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel.

The announcement was made on Thursday by China’s foreign ministry, which said discussions would focus on bilateral relations and regional issues, though it did not confirm whether the war in Iran would be formally included on the agenda.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said leaders from both countries would hold “in-depth exchanges of views on bilateral relations and issues of common concern.”

He added that Beijing would work with Pakistan to support efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability in the Middle East after months of rising tensions in the region.

“China supports Pakistan in playing a fair and balanced mediating role in promoting peace and ending the war,” Guo told reporters during a regular press briefing.

Pakistan and China have both sought to position themselves as diplomatic intermediaries since the conflict erupted following US and Israeli strikes earlier this year. Although a ceasefire agreement reached on April 8 halted direct hostilities, uncertainty remains over the future of negotiations.

US President Donald Trump warned on Wednesday that time for diplomacy was running short, raising concerns that tensions could escalate again if talks fail to progress.

Pakistan has taken an increasingly active role in regional diplomacy in recent weeks. Islamabad hosted talks between US and Iranian officials last month, strengthening its role as a potential channel for communication between the two sides.

At the same time, Pakistan’s army chief Asim Munir was expected to arrive in Tehran on Thursday, according to Iranian media reports, in another sign of Islamabad’s growing involvement in regional mediation efforts.

China has largely maintained a quieter diplomatic approach, focusing on discussions with Gulf states and maintaining contact with regional governments through phone calls and meetings.

Following talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing last week, Trump said the Chinese leader had offered Beijing’s assistance in helping reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the strategic shipping route that has faced major disruptions since the conflict began.

Earlier this month, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged Pakistan to intensify mediation efforts during a phone call with Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.

Sharif’s visit comes during a period of heightened diplomatic activity in Beijing, which has recently hosted meetings involving Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin as China seeks a larger role in international negotiations and regional security issues.