Hangzhou: Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday arrived in Hangzhou, East China's Zhejiang province, marking the beginning of his four-day official visit to China.

According to Anadolu Agency, the visit is aimed at "strengthening strategic coordination" between the two countries as Islamabad continues to facilitate indirect talks between the US and Iran to bring an end to the ongoing conflict.

Sharif's delegation includes Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, along with other Cabinet members and officials. The visit commenced in Hangzhou, where Sharif is set to chair the Pakistan-China B2B Investment Conference focused on IT and Telecom, Battery Energy Storage Systems, and Agriculture. Following the conference, Sharif is scheduled to travel to Beijing for high-level meetings with Chinese leadership, including President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang.

Xi Jinping's meetings with Sharif come at a crucial time, as Beijing has been hosting top foreign leaders this month amidst ongoing efforts to resolve the US-Iran war. The US and Russian presidents have recently met with Xi, highlighting Islamabad's role in mediating between Washington and Tehran. Pakistan was instrumental in securing a ceasefire on April 8, which halted hostilities that began on February 28, when military strikes by Israel and the US on Tehran resulted in over 3,300 casualties and the displacement of thousands within Iran.

During his visit, Sharif will also partake in events commemorating the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China. The Foreign Ministry emphasized that the visit is anticipated to "further deepen political trust, strengthen strategic coordination, expand practical cooperation, and consolidate the longstanding friendship" between the two nations.