Pakistan, China agree to strengthen coordination at bilateral, multilateral forums
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar shakes hands with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on the sidelines of the seventh round of the Pakistan–China Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue in Beijing. Photo: X
Pakistan and China have agreed to further strengthen coordination at bilateral and multilateral forums during the seventh round of the Pakistan–China Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue, the Foreign Office (FO) said in a statement on Sunday.
According to the FO, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, who is visiting China at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, travelled to Beijing to co-chair the seventh round of the dialogue.
“During the talks, both sides reviewed the full spectrum of Pakistan–China relations and discussed key regional and global issues,” the statement said, adding that views were exchanged on the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), trade, multilateral cooperation and people-to-people exchanges.
At the invitation of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, DPM/FM Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 visited Beijing to co-chair the 7th Round of the Pakistan–China Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue.
The two sides reviewed the entire spectrum of Pakistan–China relations and… pic.twitter.com/G2GeJ9KxyeEmphasising the importance of the All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership, the two sides reaffirmed that the Pakistan–China friendship is vital for peace, stability and prosperity for both countries and the wider region.
“They also agreed to further strengthen coordination at bilateral and multilateral forums,” the FO said.
The statement added that both sides agreed to appropriately commemorate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China.
Separately, Dar also held a series of diplomatic engagements in Beijing, during which he met counterparts from China, Malaysia, Bangladesh and Egypt to discuss the regional situation.
Read: DPM Dar in Beijing as Pakistan and China to hold strategic dialogue
According to an FO spokesperson, Dar met Liu Haixing, Minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China, and congratulated the Chinese Communist Party on the successful convening of the fourth plenary session of its 20th Central Committee.
“Both sides expressed satisfaction over the steady and forward-looking direction of Pakistan–China bilateral relations and reviewed party-to-party ties, the regional situation, and ongoing projects under CPEC,” the spokesperson said, adding that they also agreed to celebrate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties “in a meaningful and befitting manner”.
The deputy prime minister also met Chinese Executive Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, during which both sides reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening the Pakistan–China all-weather strategic partnership.
Vice Premier Ding appreciated Pakistan’s consistent support for China’s core interests and conveyed New Year greetings to Pakistan’s leadership and people. The two sides agreed to give new impetus to cooperation in various fields, including CPEC.
Dar also held separate telephone conversations with Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad bin Haji Hasan, Bangladesh’s Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain, and Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Ahmed Mohamed Abdelatty.
During these contacts, bilateral relations, the evolving regional situation in Asia and the Middle East, and the promotion of mutual cooperation were discussed. “All sides underscored the importance of dialogue and diplomacy for resolving issues and agreed to remain in close contact,” the FO said.