PM reaffirms commitment to deepen cooperation with China in minerals, key sectors

Both countries reiterate commitment to high-quality development of upgraded CPEC during Sixth Strategic Dialogue

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthen ties with China, underscoring Beijing’s support for the country’s sovereignty and development.

Meeting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Islamabad, Shehbaz said Pakistan was determined to expand cooperation with China in trade, investment, ICT, agriculture, industrialisation, and minerals.

He highlighted the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as “vital for Pakistan’s socio-economic development and regional connectivity,” expressing satisfaction over progress on Phase II.

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep appreciation for the leadership, government and the people of China, for their steadfast support to Pakistan in safeguarding its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national development. pic.twitter.com/RgM6kKuk7l

— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) August 21, 2025

The prime minister lauded President Xi Jinping’s “visionary leadership” and role in strengthening the “ironclad friendship” between the two nations. Recalling his meeting with Xi in Beijing last year, Shehbaz said he was looking forward to his forthcoming visit to Tianjin and Beijing to attend the SCO Council of Heads of State meeting and events marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.

“I look forward to meeting President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang, and other senior Chinese leaders during the visit,” Shehbaz said.

On his part, Wang Yi described Pakistan as an “ironclad friend and all-weather strategic partner,” commending its resolve in safeguarding sovereignty and territorial integrity. He said China would continue to work closely with Pakistan “to promote regional peace, development, and stability.”

Wang also voiced China’s readiness to elevate bilateral relations “to new heights of cooperation and collaboration.”

Earlier, both countries reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to the high-quality development of the upgraded China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) during the 6th Strategic Dialogue held between Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Associated Press of Pakistan reported on Thursday.

During the meeting, the two sides reviewed the entire gamut of Pakistan-China relations and discussed important regional and global issues. They also exchanged in-depth views on multiple facets of bilateral cooperation, including CPEC 2.0, trade and economic relations, multilateral cooperation, and people-to-people ties.

Addressing the joint press stakeout alongside Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Ishaq Dar emphasized that the two countries enjoy complete unanimity and consensus on all major bilateral, regional, and global matters. “We are heartened by Wang Yi’s vision for advancing our bilateral cooperation, especially upgrading CPEC to its next phase,” Dar noted.

Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held the 6th round of Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue in Islamabad today. During the Dialogue, the two sides reviewed the entire gamut of Pakistan-China relations… pic.twitter.com/H7xYEULRoF

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) August 21, 2025

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi described CPEC as the cornerstone of Pakistan-China strategic partnership, stating that the current priority is to advance high-quality development of the Corridor.
He said that during the 6th strategic dialogues, the two sides agreed to upgrade CPEC into “a growth corridor, livelihood-enhancing corridor, green corridor, and open corridor”.

“We will work hard to deepen our industrial agriculture and mining cooperation to improve the Pakistani people’s welfare and accelerate the Pakistan capability for self-sustained development and increase Pakistan’s economic resilience,” he said adding that China also supports development and operation of the Gwadar port and promote the KKH realignment project.

Furthermore, the Chinese foreign minister also welcomed the third party participation in the ML-1 (Main Line Railway) project.

Dar said during the dialogues, the two sides held the strategic dialogues on the heels of Pakistan-China-Afghanistan Foreign Ministers’ trilateral meeting in Kabul. “These mechanisms signify our joint resolve to promote regional peace, stability and prosperity and to share the dividends of Pakistan-China freindship with other counties in region and beyond.

He also expressed gratitude to the Chinese foreign minister for China’s firm support to Pakistan for safeguarding its sovereignty, territorial integrity and national dignity.

Deputy PM said the two sides also agreed to continue close cooperation at the multilateral fora particularly at the United Nation Security Council (UNSC) where Pakistan is currently serving its two years-term as a non-permanent member.

Pakistan & China have agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in industrial, agricultural & mining sectors, as well as to enhance people-to-people contacts & cultural cooperation@MIshaqDar50 @ForeignOfficePk #News #BreakingNews #RadioPakistan https://t.co/DsuNS1Yb8j

— Radio Pakistan (@RadioPakistan) August 21, 2025

“We also discussed preparation for PM Shehbaz’s forthcoming visit to China to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Heads of State Summit. Further he said next year Pakistan and China would celebrate 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. “We agreed that the two countries will organize a series of event in this regard.”

Wang Yi said China warmly welcomes PM shehbaz to China for the SCO summit. “The two sides will jointly prepare and ensure the success of the series of activities for the 75th anniversary of China-Pakistan diplomatic relations next year.”

He also expressed sympathies with Pakistan in the wake of the heavy rains, assuring that China will immediately provide emergency humanitarian assistance.

As regards terrorism in the country, Wang Yi said China highly commences Pakistan’s tireless efforts in combating terrorism as it firmly believes that Pakistan’s counter-terrorism operation will secure victory. He said Pakistan is effectively protecting the safety of Chinese personal and institutions in Pakistan.

Replying to a question, Ishaq Dar said Pakistan’s foreign policy will not change which is to establish friendly ties with all countries in the world based on shared values, mutual respect and equality and for global peace and stability.

“China is mainstay and cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy and we are committed to further strengthen bilateral relations,” he emphasized.

Wang Yi, responding to a question said that China’s partnership with India is not targeted at any third party and that no other country will affect from these relations.

Later, Chinese foreign minister presented a framed picture to Ishaq Dar marking the completion of solarization of the Pakistan Foreign Office project. Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs presented a gift of 2 million RMB to Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs which was utilized for the solarization of the foreign office.