ISLAMABAD:
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will visit China on January 4 to co-chair the seventh round of strategic dialogue between the foreign ministers of Pakistan and China, as the two ‘iron brothers’ prepare to celebrate 75 years of diplomatic ties 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 Commission.
The high-level talks will be held in Beijing and are considered the highest consultative mechanism between the two countries.
According to a curtain raiser released 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 initiatives and commemorative activities to celebrate 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 continues to deepen over the decades.
“The visit constitutes an important part of regular high-level exchanges between Pakistan and China and reflects their shared determination to expand and deepen the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership,” the Foreign Ministry said, adding that both sides remain committed to peace, stability and sustainable development in the region.
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 underpinned by strong political trust, close defense cooperation and growing economic engagement.
The relationship has remained resilient despite changes in government, regional upheaval and global power shifts, with the two sides often describing each other as “iron brothers”.
Beijing has always supported Islamabad on fundamental issues, including Kashmir, while Pakistan has supported 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 past decade. Despite recent challenges, both governments reiterated their commitment to high-quality development of CPEC, with renewed emphasis on industrial cooperation, agriculture, information technology and green development.
