Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif began an eight-day visit to China on December 9, focusing on initiatives to improve the lives of the people of Punjab.
The visit generated significant attention on social media, with footage showing Maryam in meetings with Chinese officials and even driving a tractor. On December 10, she met with Liu Jianchao, the Minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC).
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The Punjab Government’s Directorate General Public Relations issued a statement highlighting Maryam’s packed schedule, including meetings with Chinese ministers and participation in luncheons hosted by the CPC. The discussions emphasized collaboration on environmental improvement, biodiversity, smog eradication, wildlife preservation, and the creation of a Beijing-Punjab Clean Air Working Group.
During her meeting with Liu Jianchao, Maryam praised China’s leadership for its global influence and the pivotal role of the CPC in fostering Pakistan-China relations. She described the Pakistan-China friendship as a “tested and enduring relationship,” unaffected by global political changes, and highlighted the strategic partnership as being above all seasons.
However, questions arose on social media regarding the nature of Maryam’s visit. An X (formerly Twitter) user, @ahmadwarraichh, noted that Liu Jianchao’s official portfolio focuses on establishing relations with foreign political parties and organizations, raising the question of whether Maryam was visiting as a representative of the PML-N rather than solely as Chief Minister of Punjab.
The user pointed to a video released by Maryam Aurangzeb, which reportedly referred to the visit as involving a “delegation of Muslim League-Nawaz.” This sparked speculation that the trip was political in nature, given the CPC’s International Department’s role in fostering ties with foreign political entities.
The International Department, while part of the CPC, holds significant influence within China. Minister Liu Jianchao has previously visited Pakistan and engaged with senior political and military leaders, including co-chairing the Pakistan-China Joint Consultative Mechanism (JCM) on CPEC with Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar in June. Established in 2019, the JCM serves as a platform for dialogue between the CPC and Pakistani political parties.
