Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on Sunday termed Pakistan-China friendship vital for regional peace and stability as both leaders co-chaired the 7th round of the Pakistan–China Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue in Beijing.
Dar reached Beijing on Saturday at Wang’s invitation, primarily to co-chair the strategic dialogue. Earlier, DPM/FM Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar together with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, jointly unveiled the logo for the 75th anniversary of Pakistan-China diplomatic relations, marking the start of year-long celebrations to commemorate this historic milestone in a befitting and memorable manner.
After the bilateral dialogue today, Pakistan’s Foreign Office (FO) in a statement on social media platform X said: “Highlighting the salience of the All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership, both leaders reaffirmed that the Pakistan–China friendship is vital for peace, stability, and prosperity in the region and for the two countries.
“They also agreed to enhance coordination at bilateral and multilateral fora,” the FO added.
The two sides reviewed the entire spectrum of Pak–China relations and discussed “key issues at the regional and global levels”. The FO further said views were exchanged on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), trade, multilateral cooperation, and people-to-people exchanges. “The two leaders also agreed to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of Pakistan–China diplomatic relations,” the FO added.
In a separate post, the FO said Dar and Wang jointly unveiled the logo for the 75th anniversary of Pakistan-China diplomatic relations, “marking the start of year-long celebrations to commemorate this historic milestone in a befitting and memorable manner”.
The sixth round of the strategic dialogue was held in Islamabad in August, with Yi visiting the capital and meeting Dar, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari. At the time, China had affirmed its commitment to working with Pakistan on promoting regional peace, development and stability.
Dar, who serves as the deputy prime minister as well, also held meetings with Chinese dignitaries in Beijing earlier today, with exchanges mainly focusing on bilateral ties, according to statements issued by the FO. Among those Dar met was Chinese Executive Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang.
“The two sides reaffirmed their shared commitment to further deepening the Pakistan–China all-weather strategic cooperative partnership,” the FO said, adding that the Chinese executive vice premier “appreciated Pakistan’s consistent support to China on issues of core interest”.
Both leaders noted the historic significance of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between their countries and agreed to utilise this milestone to chart a forward-looking vision for enhanced cooperation, including under the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the statement said.
Vice Premier Ding conveyed New Year greetings to the leadership and people of Pakistan, it added.
A separate FO statement said Dar also met the minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC), Liu Haixing. Dar congratulated Minister Liu on the successful convening of the 4th Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, the statement said.
Earlier, the meeting was held between Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar and China's Executive Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang. Both sides highlighted the historic significance of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations and agreed to use this milestone to advance cooperation, including under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang appreciated Pakistan's consistent support to China on issues of core interest. He also conveyed New Year greetings to the leadership and people of Pakistan.
Ding, on the occasion, appreciated Pakistan’s support for China’s basic interests. Both on the occasion of the completion of 75 years of diplomatic ties between the two countries, agreed on a vision for the future.
They also discussed further expanding cooperation between Pakistan and China under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). China’s executive vice premier also wished the government and the people of Pakistan a very happy New Year.
Dar also met with Chinese Communist Party leader Liu Haixing in Beijing. Both expressed their satisfaction that the Pak-China ties were heading in the right direction.
The progress made on the CPEC, party-to-party contacts and the situation in the region came under discussion at the meeting.
Agreement was reached on jointly organizing events on the completion of 75 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Also on Sunday, the deputy PM had a telephonic contact with Bangladesh’s Adviser on Foreign Affairs Touhid Hossain.
According to reports, both renewed their pledge to increase cooperation between Pakistan and Bangladesh in various sectors.
They also discussed the prevailing situation in Bangladesh and Middle East. Dar and Touhid agreed on maintaining closer ties between the two countries. The deputy PM also had a telephonic conversation with Malaysia’s Foreign Minister Muhammad bin Haji Hassan.
The two leaders exchanged views over ties between Pakistan and Malaysia.They also reiterated their commitment to further increase cooperation in various sectors. Situation in Middle East and Asia also came under discussion during the conversation.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Sunday also had a telephonic talk with the Foreign Minister of Egypt Badr Ahmed Mohamed Abdelatty.
Both leaders discussed the situation in Middle East.
According to the Foreign Office spokesman, both stressed the need for a dialogue and making diplomatic efforts to resolve the regional issues.
Dar and Abdelatty renewed their commitment to increase cooperation in all sectors of mutual interest.
Reporter: Anwar Abbas