By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar reached Beijing on Saturday for high-level talks with his Chinese counterpart, aiming to deepen the longstanding alliance between the two nations amid a backdrop of regional tensions and economic challenges.
Dar, who also serves as the country’s foreign minister, is set to co-chair the seventh round of the Pakistan-China Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue on Sunday with Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The visit, at Wang’s invitation, marks Dar as the first foreign dignitary to set foot in China this year, according to Pakistan’s Foreign Office.
The dialogue represents the highest consultative mechanism between the two countries, offering a structured platform to assess the full range of bilateral cooperation, along with regional and international matters of shared concern. “The Dialogue will review the full spectrum of bilateral cooperation, identify new areas of partnership, and further advance the All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership between Pakistan and China,” the Foreign Office said in a statement.
During the session, the ministers are expected to unveil a series of initiatives and commemorative events to celebrate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China, which falls this year. The trip shows the robust ties that have defined the relationship for decades, encompassing strategic, political, economic, defence and cultural spheres.
Islamabad and Beijing have long coordinated closely on global issues, often backing each other’s vital interests in multilateral arenas. China, in particular, has emerged as a key investor in Pakistan, channelling billions of dollars through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, a flagship infrastructure and energy project that has unfolded over more than a decade.
“The visit forms an important part of the regular high-level exchanges between the two countries and reflects their shared determination to broaden and deepen the All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership, while reaffirming their mutual commitment to regional peace, stability, and sustainable development,” the Foreign Office added.
The previous round of the dialogue, held in Islamabad last August, saw Wang meet with Dar, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari. At that time, China pledged to collaborate with Pakistan in fostering regional peace, development and stability.
Pakistan has leaned heavily on its alliance with China as it navigates economic pressures, including debt burdens and the need for foreign investment. Beijing’s support has been crucial, not only through the economic corridor but also in diplomatic forums where China has advocated for Pakistan on issues like Kashmir.
For China, the partnership offers a strategic foothold in South Asia, enhancing its influence through projects that connect its western regions to the Arabian Sea via Pakistan’s Gwadar port.
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