*Beijing/Islamabad – August 7, 2025* —Chinese President Xi Jinping is scheduled to hold separate high-levelmeetings with Pakistan’s Prime Minister and Army Chief during the upcomingShanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit set to take place fromAugust 31 to September 1.
According to diplomatic sources, President Xi will engage in bilateraltalks with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff FieldMarshal Asim Munir on the sidelines of the summit. The meetings will focuson deepening strategic cooperation, regional security, economic initiativesunder the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), and evolvinggeopolitical dynamics in South Asia.
These back-to-back engagements underscore the strength and depth of theChina-Pakistan strategic partnership, particularly in light of regionalsecurity concerns and joint efforts in combating terrorism and fosteringconnectivity.
Notably, no meeting is scheduled between President Xi and Indian PrimeMinister Narendra Modi during the summit. This development highlights thecontinuing diplomatic chill between Beijing and New Delhi followinglong-standing border tensions and unresolved issues.
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The SCO summit is being seen as a critical platform for regional leaders toaddress pressing challenges, including economic cooperation,counterterrorism, and stability in Afghanistan. However, the selectivebilateral meetings also point to the shifting priorities and alliances inAsia’s strategic landscape.
Observers note that China’s decision to meet both civilian and militaryleadership of Pakistan separately reflects Beijing’s comprehensive approachto its ties with Islamabad — encompassing political, economic, and defensecollaboration.