China and Pakistan delivered a strong joint message on Thursday that their “iron-clad and all-weather strategic partnership” remains unaffected by shifting global alignments. The reaffirmation came during Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s official visit to Islamabad, where he led the sixth round of the Pakistan-China Strategic Dialogue and met top civilian and military leadership.
High-Level Meetings in Islamabad
Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the Prime Minister’s House. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Army Chief Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, and senior ministers joined the meeting.
Welcoming him, PM Shehbaz praised “the leadership, government and the people of China for their steadfast support to Pakistan in safeguarding its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national development.” He reiterated Pakistan’s “unwavering support for China on its core issues” and highlighted CPEC’s central role in Pakistan’s socio-economic progress.
The prime minister also looked forward to his upcoming visit to Tianjin and Beijing for the SCO Heads of States summit, where he is expected to meet President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang.
Dar-Wang Talks: Strategic Dialogue
At the joint press conference, FM Ishaq Dar described discussions as “fruitful and substantive,” covering CPEC-II, trade, investment, ICT, agriculture, and people-to-people cooperation.
Dar underlined that despite “global geopolitical upheavals, terrorism, and exclusionary approaches by some countries,” Pakistan’s foreign policy pillar remains unchanged, friendly ties based on shared values, mutual respect, and convergence of interests.
“Prevailing geopolitical milieu therefore necessitates Pakistan’s closer alignment with China, which is our all-weather strategic cooperative partner and brother, trusted friend and great neighbour,” Dar emphasised.
China’s Assurances of Support
Wang Yi reaffirmed that Beijing views Pakistan as an “ironclad friend and all-weather strategic partner,” pledging to “elevate bilateral relations to new heights of cooperation.”
He stressed that CPEC is the cornerstone of the partnership, adding that both sides agreed to upgrade it into a “growth corridor, livelihood-enhancing corridor, green corridor and open corridor.”
On counterterrorism, Wang said: “China highly commends Pakistan’s tireless efforts in combating terrorism, as it firmly believes that Pakistan’s counter-terrorism operation will secure victory.”
He also assured that “China will continue to prioritise Pakistan in its neighbourhood diplomacy, unwaveringly supporting Pakistan in safeguarding national sovereignty and accelerating development.”
Meeting with President Zardari
Wang also held talks with President Asif Ali Zardari, where PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and senior ministers were present.
President Zardari described China as Pakistan’s “iron brother, time-tested friend and all-weather strategic partner.” He thanked China for its consistent backing on sovereignty, development, and its “principled stance on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.”
Ahead of 2026, marking 75 years of diplomatic relations, the president said the milestone would be celebrated “in a befitting manner” to pass on the legacy of friendship to future generations.
Regional Cooperation and Afghanistan
Both sides also reviewed outcomes of the recent trilateral meeting in Kabul with Afghan FM Amir Khan Muttaqi. The three nations agreed on counter-terrorism cooperation, enhanced regional trade, health, education, and the possible extension of CPEC into Afghanistan.
Future Outlook
China and Pakistan agreed to intensify cooperation in industrialisation, mining, agriculture, ICT, and people-to-people exchanges. Preparations are underway for PM Shehbaz’s China visit later this month, where CPEC-II is set to be formally launched alongside a B2B Investment Conference.
Wang Yi concluded that his three-nation tour ended on its “most important stop” in Islamabad, stressing that the 21st century should be the century of Asia, with South Asia at the forefront of growth and development.
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