Pak PM in Beijing to discuss economy, debt

Beijing/Islamabad: Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Beijing on Tuesday on an official visit to China during which he will meet President Xi Jinping and the two leaders are expected to discuss measures to ramp up strategic all-weather ties.

Sharif ’s delegation includes the foreign and finance ministers. During his stay, Sharif will meet President Xi and hold talks with Premier Li.

Sharif, who is scheduled to meet Xi on Wednesday, will be one of the first leaders to meet Xi since he secured a third term in power. During his meeting with Chinese leaders, Sharif is expected to discuss plans for the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a $65 billion investment in Pakistan. The major investment in development and energy projects in Pakistan is part of Xi’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Sharif is also expected to discuss the current political and economic crisis in Pakistan.