SCO Summit Opens in Tianjin: Shehbaz Promotes Industrial Collaboration and Youth Skills with China

Tianjin/Islamabad,Ali Imran Chattha 

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasized Pakistan’s economic and governance priorities “closely align” with Chinese President Xi Jinping’s development vision during a speech at Tianjin University. Addressing students and faculty ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) leaders’ summit, Shehbaz highlighted education links, disaster-management cooperation, and the relaunch of industrial collaboration under CPEC Phase II.

The prime minister praised China’s long-term planning and noted Beijing’s record on poverty alleviation under Xi’s leadership. He urged thousands of Pakistani students studying in China to bring back advanced skills to support Pakistan’s economy, underscoring vocational training and youth employment as central government priorities.

Shehbaz also toured Tianjin University’s National Earthquake Simulation and Engineering facilities, signaling Pakistan’s interest in adopting Chinese technology and best practices to enhance disaster preparedness, following years of climate-linked catastrophes. Pakistani readouts framed the visit as part of a broader effort to secure Chinese support in risk reduction and rapid response initiatives.

CPEC Phase II Back in Focus

Officials in Islamabad are presenting the China visit as the formal launch of CPEC Phase II, emphasizing industrial collaboration and export-oriented projects after delays in recent years. Both sides aim to define clear priorities and measurable outcomes, with Chinese and Pakistani statements referencing an “upgraded” CPEC 2.0 framework.

SCO Summit Diplomacy: A Crowded Agenda

The SCO summit in Tianjin, described as one of the bloc’s largest, has attracted leaders from across Asia, the Middle East, and Eurasia, including Russia’s Vladimir Putin, India’s Narendra Modi, Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and Iranian officials. Chinese state media and regional outlets reported Xi hosting a welcome banquet for participating heads of state, including Shehbaz.

On the sidelines, Xi and Modi held a rare in-person meeting, signaling a tentative thaw after years of border tensions. Analysts note that while SCO outcomes are often ambiguous, the summit provides Pakistan visibility and space to advance trade, connectivity, and security dialogues in a forum often framed as a counterweight to Western groupings.

Why It Matters

Economic Reset: A credible reboot of CPEC with factory-floor investments, export zones, and technology transfer could be pivotal for Pakistan’s growth and external financing needs.

Risk & Resilience: Cooperation on China’s earthquake and disaster-response technology points to practical collaboration beyond traditional infrastructure.

Regional Optics: Top-tier attendance and bilateral meetings like Xi-Modi give Pakistan visibility and leverage in regional forums.

The Road Ahead

Pakistan’s delegation is expected to pursue commitments on industrial parks, vocational upskilling, agricultural technology exchanges, and market access in China—areas highlighted by Shehbaz in Tianjin. Any signed frameworks or project lists under CPEC Phase II will serve as key indicators of progress from the visit.

This report incorporates statements from Pakistani and international outlets, as well as official readouts available on August 31, 2025.