Dar to visit China for strategic talks

FM's tour comes at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart

ISLAMABAD:

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will travel to China on January 4 to co-chair the seventh round of the Pakistan–China Foreign Ministers' Strategic Dialogue, as the two "iron brothers" prepare to mark 75 years of diplomatic relations amid shifting regional and global dynamics.

The visit comes 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.

The high-level talks will be held in Beijing and are regarded as the highest consultative mechanism between the two countries.

According to a curtain-raiser issued by the Foreign Office on Wednesday, the strategic dialogue provides a structured platform to review the entire spectrum of Pakistan-China relations, including political, economic, security, and people-to-people cooperation, as well as regional and international developments of mutual interest.

During the dialogue, the two foreign ministers are also expected to announce a series of initiatives and commemorative activities to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Pakistan and China in 2026, a milestone that both sides see as symbolic of a partnership that has steadily deepened over decades.

"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, adding that both sides remain committed to regional peace, stability, and sustainable development.

Pakistan and China established diplomatic relations in May 1951, making Pakistan one of the first countries to recognise the People's Republic of China. Since then, ties between the two neighbours have evolved into a comprehensive strategic partnership underpinned by strong political trust, close defence cooperation, and expanding economic engagement.

The relationship has remained resilient across changing governments, regional upheavals, and global power shifts, with both sides often describing each other as "iron brothers."

Beijing has consistently supported Islamabad on core issues, including Kashmir, while Pakistan has backed China on matters related to its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Economic cooperation, particularly under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), has become a central pillar of bilateral ties over the past decade. Despite recent challenges, both governments have reiterated their commitment to high-quality development of CPEC, with a renewed focus on industrial cooperation, agriculture, information technology, and green development.