ISLAMABAD:
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will travel to China on January 4 to co-chair the seventh round of the Pakistan-China Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue, as the two ‘iron brothers’ prepare to commemorate 75 years of diplomatic relations amid changing regional and global dynamics.
The visit comes at the invitation of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who is also a member of the Politburo of the Communist Party of China and director of the Office of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission.
The high-level talks will be held in Beijing and are considered the highest consultation mechanism between the two countries.
According to a curtain raiser announcement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday, the strategic dialogue provides a structured platform to review the entire spectrum of Pakistan-China relations, including political, economic, security and people-to-people cooperation, as well as regional and international developments of mutual interest.
During the dialogue, the two foreign ministers are also expected to announce a series of commemorative initiatives and activities to mark the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China in 2026, a milestone that both sides see as a symbol of a partnership that has steadily deepened over decades.
“The visit 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,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, adding that both sides remain committed to regional peace, stability and sustainable development.
Pakistan and China established diplomatic relations in May 1951, making Pakistan one of the first countries to recognize the People’s Republic of China. Since then, ties between the two neighbors have evolved into a comprehensive strategic partnership backed by strong political trust, close defense cooperation and expanding economic engagement.
The relationship has remained resilient despite government changes, regional upheavals and global power shifts, with both sides often describing each other as “iron brothers.”
Beijing has consistently supported Islamabad on key issues, including Kashmir, while Pakistan has backed China on issues related to its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Economic cooperation, particularly under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), has become a central pillar of bilateral relations over the last decade. Despite recent challenges, both governments have reiterated their commitment to high-quality development of CPEC, with renewed focus on industrial cooperation, agriculture, information technology and green development.
