Chinese, Pakistani FMs co-chair 6th strategic dialogue in Islamabad

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi co-chaired the 6th Round of China-Pakistan Foreign Ministers' Strategic Dialogue with Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar in Islamabad on August 21, 2025.

During the talks, Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership between China and Pakistan has continued to progress and become increasingly significant. He described China and Pakistan as "ironclad friends" who have stood by each other through thick and thin.

Wang said that Pakistan remains a priority in China's neighborhood diplomacy. He said China firmly supports Pakistan in safeguarding its national sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, combating terrorism, thus achieving unity and stability, accelerating development and revitalization, and playing a greater role in international and regional affairs.

Wang also congratulated Pakistan on serving as the rotating president of the UN Security Council in July, commending its efforts to uphold justice for developing countries and enhance its international standing.

The Chinese foreign minister said China is ready to work with Pakistan to prepare for upcoming high-level interactions in the second half of the year and to advance the building of a China-Pakistan community with a shared future.

Wang emphasized China's support for Pakistan's economic development as a means to strengthen its capacity to address internal and external challenges. He called on both sides to jointly safeguard the multilateral trading system and oppose unilateralism and bullying practices.

China is ready to work with Pakistan to develop a version 2.0 of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), focusing on five key areas: growth, livelihood, innovation, green development, and openness, Wang said, adding that the cooperation will prioritize industrial, agricultural, and mining sectors, further develop Gwadar Port, and ensure smooth operations along the Karakoram Highway, which together are driving CPEC toward a new stage of high-quality development.

He also expressed interest in deepening cooperation in IT, cybersecurity, and cultural exchanges and called on Pakistan to continue fostering a safe, efficient and business-friendly environment for Chinese personnel, projects and institutions in the country.

Dar thanked China for its consistent support, stating that the strategic dialogue comes at a critical moment amid a rapidly evolving international landscape and demonstrates the ironclad friendship between the two sides.

He said the political trust between Pakistan and China is solid and bilateral relations have reached new heights, setting an example for international relations.

He reaffirmed Pakistan's firm commitment to the one-China principle and its unequivocal support for China's core interests.

He also pledged Pakistan's full support for China's rotating presidency of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and the success of the SCO Tianjin summit.

The Pakistani foreign minister expressed Pakistan's strong support for the upgraded CPEC and its readiness to deepen cooperation across priority sectors identified by both sides, in a joint effort to further enrich the substance of the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership.

He expressed support for building a Pakistan-China community with a shared future and reiterated Pakistan's firm commitment to combating all forms of terrorism and ensuring the safety of Chinese personnel and institutions in Pakistan.

The two sides also exchanged views on international and regional issues of mutual interest.