ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong on Sunday to review progress on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and reaffirm bilateral ties, the Foreign Office said.

During the meeting in Islamabad, Dar praised the ongoing expansion of the “all-weather strategic cooperative partnership” between the two nations.

According to a statement released by the FO spokesperson, discussions focused on advancing trade, investment, regional connectivity, agricultural modernisation and people-to-people exchanges.

Dar also emphasised the need for sustained high-level engagements to build what officials term a “Pakistan-China Community of Shared Future in the New Era.”

Beyond economic and bilateral initiatives, the two diplomats discussed recent regional developments. Both officials underscored that ongoing dialogue and diplomacy remain essential for securing long-term peace and stability across the region.

The meeting comes as Pakistan and China seek to accelerate the second phase of CPEC, shifting focus toward industrialisation, technology and export-led growth.

Earlier this month, a 22-member Chinese business delegation from Xinjiang visited Islamabad to explore investment opportunities in agriculture, mining, manufacturing and special economic zones.

Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal urged Chinese investors to establish joint ventures and help transform Pakistan into a regional production and export hub.

In August, officials said the corridor’s first phase had attracted approximately $25 billion in Chinese investment, while the next phase would prioritise private-sector partnerships and technology transfer.

Published in Dawn, October 26th, 2026