Pakistan’s China Moment: Sharif Wins New Investment and Strategic Backing From Beijing

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrives for a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People, in Beijing, China May 25, 2026. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang/Pool

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif wrapped up his trip to Beijing on Tuesday and is likely feeling very good about what he accomplished during the four-day visit.

In sharp contrast to both U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin who both went home from their May summits with Xi Jinping largely empty handed, Sharif is returning to Islamabad with $1.2 billion of new business deals, 15 cooperation agreements with Chinese state enterprises, and, most importantly, a committment from Premier Li Qiang that Beijing will step up its investments in the controversial China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

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by Eric Olander

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