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• Foreign Minister Dar, his Chinese counterpart co-chair 7th Strategic Dialogue in Beijing
• Both sides agree to mark 75 years of diplomatic ties with year-long celebrations
• Vice Premier hails Islamabad’s consistent support for Beijing on issues of core interest
ISLAMABAD: As tensions simmer in the region and further afield, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on Sunday termed the Pakistan-China friendship “vital” for regional peace and stability as they co-chaired the 7th round of the Pakistan-China Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue in Beijing.
Mr Dar arrived in Beijing on Saturday at Mr Wang’s invitation, primarily to co-chair the strategic dialogue.
Following the talks, the Foreign Office said in a statement: “Highlighting the salience of the All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership, both leaders reaffirmed that Pakistan-China friendship is vital for peace, stability, and prosperity in the region and for the two countries.”
The two sides also agreed to enhance coordination at bilateral and multilateral forums, the statement added.
The two leaders reviewed the entire spectrum of Pakistan–China relations, and discussed key regional and global issues.
They also exchanged views on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), trade, multilateral cooperation and people-to-people exchanges.
75th anniversary
“The two leaders also agreed to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of Pakistan–China diplomatic relations,” the FO added.
In a separate statement, the FO said Mr Dar and Mr Wang jointly unveiled the logo for the 75th anniversary of Pakistan-China diplomatic ties, “marking the start of year-long celebrations to commemorate this historic milestone in a befitting and memorable manner”.
Mr Dar, who also serves as deputy prime minister, held meetings with other Chinese officials in Beijing earlier in the day, with exchanges mainly focusing on bilateral ties. Among those he met was Chinese Executive Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang.
The FO said the two leaders “reaffirmed their shared commitment to further deepening the Pakistan-China all-weather strategic cooperative partnership”, adding that Mr Ding appreciated Pakistan’s consistent support for China on issues of core interest.
Both leaders noted the historic significance of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations and agreed to utilise the milestone to chart a forward-looking vision for enhanced cooperation, including under CPEC.
Mr Ding also conveyed New Year greetings to the leadership and people of Pakistan.
‘Shared future’
According to China’s state-run Xinhua news agency, Mr Ding called for joint efforts to speed up the process of building an even closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era and to continue improving the well-being of the two peoples.
“China is willing to work with Pakistan to follow the strategic guidance of the leaders of the two countries, shore up political mutual trust and mutual support, better synergise development plans, improve quality and performance of pragmatic cooperation, and enhance communication and coordination regarding major international and regional affairs,” he added.
Xinhua quoted Mr Dar as saying that Pakistan adhered to the one-China principle and was ready to use the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties as an opportunity to further promote the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership.
In another statement, the FO said Mr Dar also met Liu Haixing, minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China.
Mr Dar congratulated Mr Liu on the successful convening of the 4th Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee.
The two sides expressed satisfaction with the steady and forward-looking trajectory of bilateral relations while reviewing party-to-party exchanges, regional developments and progress on various CPEC projects.
They also agreed to jointly commemorate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations in “a befitting and meaningful manner”.
Published in Dawn, January 5th, 2026
