Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Tianjin, China, on August 30, 2025, to participate in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit. His arrival was marked by a warm reception from Chinese officials, reflecting the depth of the Pakistan China friendship often described as an iron brotherhood. He was accompanied by a high-level delegation including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal, and Information Minister Attaullah .
Reason Behind Meetings with China’s Top Leadership During SCO Summit
On the sidelines of the SCO summit, Shehbaz will hold meetings with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang. The talks will explore the future of Phase II of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, emphasizing industrialization, agriculture, and green energy projects.
Pakistan wants to attract new Chinese investments into its special economic zones , improve connectivity, and expand energy cooperation. For China, Pakistan remains an important partner in building secure trade routes and maintaining regional stability. Shehbaz will lead the B2B Investment Conference in Beijing after the summit, creating a platform where Pakistani businesses can engage directly with Chinese investors.
SCO Summit as a Platform for Multilateral Diplomacy and Global South Unity
This year’s SCO Summit carries special weight. It comes at a time when the global political and economic order is shifting rapidly. With the United States increasing tariffs on major economies and tensions continuing in Ukraine and the Middle East, the SCO is seen as a counterbalance.
The SCO includes major powers like China, Russia, and India, along with resource-rich Central Asian nations. Pakistan, Iran, and Belarus add further diversity. The presence of observers and dialogue partners from the Middle East, Africa, and Southeast Asia shows that the SCO is expanding its influence beyond its traditional borders.
By participating actively, Pakistan aims to show that it is a responsible and forward-looking member of the global community. Shehbaz Sharif’s speech will likely underline Pakistan’s commitment to “cooperation over confrontation” and its readiness to play a constructive role in connecting South Asia, Central Asia, and China.
Symbolism in Culture, History and Shared Struggles
Beyond politics, the visit also has a symbolic dimension. This event is important to China and many SCO countries as it reflects their shared historical struggles against colonialism and aggression.
For Pakistan, participating in such commemorations demonstrates solidarity and respect for China’s sacrifices while reinforcing the deep cultural and historical links between the two nations. It also shows how their partnership extends beyond economics and defense to shared values and memories.
The Geopolitical Stakes for Pakistan at the SCO Summit
Pakistan’s active engagement at the summit comes at a time of complex geopolitical challenges. Relations with neighboring India remain strained, yet both countries are part of the SCO. China is mediating carefully to encourage dialogue without letting tensions overshadow the summit’s broader goals.
At the same time, Russia is strengthening its ties with non-Western nations amid its standoff with NATO. Iran, a new full member, is also seeking to increase cooperation with both Pakistan and China. In this context, Pakistan’s presence is crucial because it sits at the crossroads of South and Central Asia, linking many of these countries through geography, trade, and shared security concerns.
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