ISLAMABAD:
China and Pakistan will hold a crucial “strategic dialogue” on Sunday, as Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar arrived in the Chinese capital on Saturday, becoming the first senior foreign diplomat to travel to Beijing in 2026.
He will co-chair the seventh round of Pakistan-China Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in the backdrop of various regional and international developments.
A senior foreign ministry official said the last strategic dialogue was held in August and the convening of the next one in a short span highlights the close cooperation and consultations between the two “iron brothers”.
The forum essentially aims to discuss broader regional and international issues and work to align positions. Amid ongoing events ranging from South Asia to the Middle East and other global flashpoints, the upcoming strategic dialogue between the two countries is even more significant.
At Beijing Capital International Airport, Dar was received by China’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Ambassador Yue Xiaoyong, Pakistan’s Ambassador to China and senior officials of the Pakistani Embassy, ​​reflecting the high-level and ceremonial nature of the visit.
The dialogue is scheduled for Sunday and Dar is also expected to attend a series of commemorative events celebrating the long-standing partnership between Islamabad and Beijing.
The upcoming meeting represents the highest consultative mechanism between Pakistan and China and provides a structured platform to review the entire spectrum of bilateral relations, including political, economic and security cooperation, as well as people-to-people exchanges.
It also offers an opportunity to coordinate positions on regional and global developments of mutual interest.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the strategic dialogue “forms an important part of regular high-level exchanges between Pakistan and China and reflects their shared determination to broaden and deepen the All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership.” He added that both sides remain committed to regional peace, stability and sustainable development.
The Pakistan-China Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue was institutionalized to provide a formal mechanism for comprehensive consultations on bilateral and regional issues. The upcoming seventh round follows the last meeting held in August 2025, less than five months ago, indicating the accelerated pace of high-level interactions between the two countries.
Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in May 1951, Pakistan has been among the first countries to recognize the People’s Republic of China. Over the decades, the ties have evolved into a multifaceted partnership characterized by strong political trust, close defense cooperation and expanding economic commitment. The relationship has survived multiple regional upheavals and global power shifts, with both countries often describing each other as “iron brothers.”
Beijing has consistently supported Islamabad on key issues, including the Kashmir dispute, while Pakistan has reaffirmed China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity on the international stage. Defense collaboration and security coordination have remained integral elements of the bilateral partnership, reinforcing the strategic stability of both countries in the region.
Economic cooperation, particularly through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), has become a central pillar of bilateral engagement over the past decade. Despite challenges such as global economic volatility and domestic constraints, both governments have reiterated their commitment to high-quality development of CPEC projects.
The upcoming dialogue is expected to focus on strengthening industrial collaboration, promoting agricultural innovation, expanding information technology initiatives and pursuing green development projects in line with sustainable development goals.
The dialogue comes amid a rapidly changing regional security environment. Key issues likely to feature on the agenda include the situation in Afghanistan following the political transition, current tensions in the Middle East, and evolving strategic competition between major powers.
Analysts suggest that both Islamabad and Beijing could discuss coordinated approaches to regional stability, multilateral diplomacy and security challenges in South and Central Asia.
Additionally, the strategic dialogue provides an avenue for both countries to exchange assessments on global developments, including post-pandemic economic recovery trends, energy security concerns, and emerging trade and technology partnerships.
Observers note that Beijing’s growing global economic and strategic reach aligns with Islamabad’s goals of stabilizing its economy while harnessing Chinese support for sustainable development.
A key highlight of Dar’s visit is the celebration of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China in 2026. The dialogue is expected to be accompanied by announcements of joint initiatives and commemorative activities, reflecting decades of long-standing trust and cooperation.
From cultural exchanges to collaborative development projects, both sides plan to underscore the partnership’s historical importance while charting its trajectory for the future.
“Seventy-five years of diplomatic engagement is a milestone that not only commemorates history but also reaffirms our shared vision for long-term cooperation,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in its report.
The anniversary celebrations are likely to include high-level dialogues, bilateral visits and sector-specific initiatives aimed at deepening people-to-people ties, trade and technological collaboration.
Dar’s visit follows a series of high-level engagements between Islamabad and Beijing in recent months, highlighting the boost in bilateral relations. The regularity of these dialogues indicates the priority that both countries give to strategic coordination and reflects the mutual recognition of the geostrategic and economic benefits of close cooperation.
While the dialogue is primarily consultative, experts expect practical results, including agreements on trade facilitation, energy cooperation, joint infrastructure projects and coordinated diplomatic strategies on regional security issues.
The dialogue will also serve as a platform to reaffirm the “All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership” and promote the common interests of both nations in international forums. Dar’s trip to Beijing underscores the enduring nature of Pakistan-China relations and the shared determination to address regional and global challenges collaboratively.
The strategic dialogue not only consolidates decades of trust and partnership, but also lays the foundation for a future of expanded economic collaboration, strategic alignment and people-centered engagement between the two countries.
