Beijing: Pakistan and China have agreed to align their national development strategies and advance an upgraded phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC 2.0), reaffirming their long-standing strategic partnership during high-level talks held in Beijing.
The understanding was reached during the Seventh Round of the Pakistan-China Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue, co-chaired on January 4 by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar. Dar visited China from January 3 to January 5 at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart, according to a joint press communiqué issued at the conclusion of the dialogue.
During the talks, both sides held comprehensive discussions on strategic and political cooperation, defence and security, economy, trade, investment, and cultural and people-to-people exchanges. They also exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest and agreed to enhance strategic communication, deepen mutual trust, safeguard shared interests, and promote economic and social development, as well as peace and stability in the region.
As part of economic cooperation, the two countries agreed to develop CPEC 2.0, a key component of China’s Belt and Road Initiative. The upgraded phase will focus on priority sectors including industry, agriculture, and mining, while promoting the development and operation of Gwadar Port, ensuring smooth connectivity through the Karakoram Highway, and strengthening Pakistan’s capacity for sustainable development.
Pakistan and China also agreed to deepen cooperation in trade and investment, information technology, science and technology, cybersecurity, technical and vocational education and training, as well as cultural and people-to-people exchanges. The year-round opening of the Khunjerab Pass was welcomed as a significant step to facilitate bilateral trade and enhance cross-border connectivity. Both sides also expressed openness to third-party participation in CPEC projects in line with mutually agreed modalities.
The dialogue coincided with preparations for commemorative activities in 2026, marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China. Both sides reiterated that they are all-weather strategic cooperative partners and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening high-level exchanges and implementing the Action Plan to Foster an Even Closer Pakistan-China Community with a Shared Future in the New Era (2025–2029).
The two countries further reaffirmed mutual support on issues concerning their respective core interests and expressed readiness to expand cooperation in counterterrorism, finance and banking, space cooperation, and multilateral forums.
It was agreed that the next round of the Pakistan-China Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue will be held in Islamabad next year on mutually convenient dates.
