ISLAMABAD; Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Thursday described his talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi as “fruitful,” saying the two sides had engaged in substantive discussions across a wide range of issues of mutual interest.
Addressing a joint press conference in Islamabad, Dar and Wang reiterated their resolve to strengthen bilateral relations, enhance security cooperation, and expedite projects under the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Dar stressed that Pakistan deeply values its “iron brotherhood” with China and remains committed to advancing shared goals of peace and economic prosperity in the region.
Wang Yi reaffirmed Beijing’s strong support for Pakistan’s stability and development, underscoring China’s readiness to expand collaboration in infrastructure, trade, and counterterrorism.
Both leaders also reviewed the outcomes of this week’s trilateral dialogue in Kabul with Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, where the three countries agreed to intensify cooperation against terrorism, broaden collaboration in multiple sectors, and consider extending CPEC to Afghanistan.
Pakistan, China Hold Sixth Strategic Dialogue in Islamabad
Earlier in the day, Wang Yi arrived at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the sixth round of the Pakistan–China Strategic Dialogue, according to the Foreign Office (FO). He was formally received by Ishaq Dar, with whom he also co-chaired the fifth round of the dialogue in Beijing in May 2024.
The FO said Wang Yi will hold a series of important meetings, including calls on President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Dar welcomed his counterpart on social media Wednesday night, writing: “Delighted to receive my dear friend, H.E. Wang Yi, Foreign Minister of China. I look forward to productive discussions tomorrow at our Dialogue, and during his calls on our leadership.”
Pakistan and China enjoy a longstanding strategic partnership spanning trade, energy, defence, and infrastructure. Last month, the two countries agreed to launch joint training programs in fields including artificial intelligence, agriculture, construction engineering, and hospitality under the second phase of CPEC (CPEC-II).
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is scheduled to visit Beijing later this month for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit from August 31 to September 1, where he is also expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The government has said the visit will formally mark the launch of CPEC-II, focused on industrial cooperation after a delay of nearly five years.
