China wants Pakistan to step up peace diplomacy

Dar speaks with Chinese, Kuwaiti counterparts

ISLAMABAD:

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called on Pakistan to step up mediation efforts and contribute to properly addressing issues related to opening the Strait of Hormuz, reports China's State-run Xinhua news agency on Wednesday.

Wang made the remarks during a telephone conversation with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar a day earlier.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, appreciated Pakistan's constructive diplomatic engagement in facilitating contacts between Iran and the United States, noting that such efforts had helped extend a temporary ceasefire and ease regional tensions.

He expressed hope that Pakistan would maintain confidence and continue contributing to restoring regional peace at an early date, which he said is also the common aspiration of the international community.

Dar briefed Wang on Pakistan's recent mediation efforts in facilitating talks between Iran and the United States, and thanked China for its support of Pakistan's efforts to promote dialogue. He expressed hope to strengthen coordination with China to jointly play a positive role in maintaining regional peace and stability.

Wang reiterated China's principled position, commending Pakistan for facilitating US–Iran contacts, and said Beijing would continue to support Pakistan's mediation efforts and make its own contribution toward this end.

The two sides also discussed broader regional developments and stressed the importance of ensuring stability and uninterrupted maritime passage through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy artery.

The leaders reviewed preparations for the upcoming 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan, agreeing to deepen strategic communication, strengthen high-level exchanges, and advance the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership.

Both sides reiterated their commitment to closer coordination in multilateral forums, including the United Nations, and to jointly upholding multilateralism amid global turbulence.

The contact between Wang and Dar came ahead of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's upcoming visit to Beijing.

In a separate engagement on Wednesday, Foreign Minister Dar held a telephone conversation with Kuwait's Foreign Minister, Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.

According to a Foreign Office statement, the Kuwaiti Foreign Minister appreciated the peace efforts undertaken by Pakistan's political and military leadership including the Prime Minister and Field Marshal in promoting dialogue and engagement between the United States and Iran, and commended Islamabad's constructive role in advancing regional peace and stability.

Both ministers discussed the broader implications of the situation surrounding the Strait of Hormuz on the global economy and stressed the importance of a peaceful and durable resolution to ongoing regional tensions.

Dar reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to supporting all diplomatic efforts aimed at maintaining peace and stability in the region and beyond, and expressed Pakistan's desire to continue close coordination with friendly countries, including Kuwait, on evolving regional developments.