Visit aimed at deepening All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership
ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will visit China on January 4 to co-chair the seventh round of the Pakistan–China Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue, as both countries prepare to mark 75 years of diplomatic relations in 2026.
The visit is being undertaken at the invitation of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who is also a member of the Politburo of the Communist Party of China and Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs.
Highest-Level Consultative Mechanism
The high-level talks will be held in Beijing and are regarded as the highest consultative mechanism between Pakistan and China on foreign policy and strategic matters.
According to a curtain-raiser issued by the Foreign Office, the dialogue will provide a structured platform to review the entire spectrum of bilateral relations, including political engagement, economic cooperation, security collaboration, and people-to-people exchanges.
Regional and Global Developments on Agenda
The two sides will also exchange views on regional and international developments of mutual interest, amid evolving geopolitical dynamics in South Asia and beyond.
Officials said the dialogue reflects the importance both countries attach to regular high-level engagement and strategic coordination.
Celebrating 75 Years of Diplomatic Ties
During the talks, the two foreign ministers are expected to announce a series of initiatives and commemorative activities to mark the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China.
Pakistan and China established diplomatic ties in May 1951, with Pakistan being among the first countries to recognise the People’s Republic of China.
Strengthening the Strategic Partnership
“The visit forms an important part of the regular high-level exchanges between Pakistan and China and reflects their shared determination to broaden and deepen the All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership,” the Foreign Office said.
It added that both sides remain committed to regional peace, stability, and sustainable development.
Economic Cooperation and CPEC
Economic collaboration, particularly under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), continues to be a central pillar of bilateral relations. Despite recent challenges, both governments have reiterated their commitment to high-quality development of CPEC, with renewed emphasis on industrial cooperation, agriculture, information technology, and green development.
Over the decades, Pakistan-China relations have remained resilient across changing governments and regional shifts, with both sides often describing each other as “iron brothers.”