Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar has embarked on a significant diplomatic mission to Beijing, where he will co-chair the 5th Pakistan-China Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue. The Foreign Office (FO) confirmed Dar’s arrival, highlighting the importance of this visit in fostering stronger ties between the two nations.
Upon his arrival in Beijing, Dar was warmly received by Ambassador Wang Fu Kang and Pakistan’s envoy to China Dr. Khalil Hashmi, signaling the cordiality and significance of his visit.
During his stay, Dar will co-chair the strategic dialogue with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, covering a wide range of topics encompassing the full spectrum of Pakistan-China relations. This includes discussions on economic and trade cooperation, high-level exchanges, and the upgradation of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) along with future connectivity initiatives.
Dar is scheduled to hold meetings with Chinese leaders, senior officials, and prominent business enterprises, further underscoring the depth and breadth of bilateral engagement.
The visit comes as part of regular high-level exchanges between Pakistan and China, reflecting the mutual commitment to strengthening the ‘All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership’. Both sides are expected to reaffirm mutual support on core issues, enhance economic and trade cooperation, particularly within the framework of CPEC, and reinforce joint commitments to regional peace and development.
This visit holds particular significance as it marks Dar’s first official trip to Beijing since the PML-N-led government assumed power after the February 8 general elections. It follows closely on the heels of Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal’s recent visit to China, aimed at bolstering investment and cooperation in various sectors, including the transmission and distribution network under CPEC’s second phase.
Prior engagements between Dar and Chinese officials, such as his meeting with Zheng Jianbang during the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation summit in The Gambia, underscore the shared determination to further enhance cooperation on CPEC projects. Dar’s visit to Beijing is expected to further solidify these commitments and pave the way for enhanced collaboration between Pakistan and China in various fields.
