ISLAMABAD:
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called on Pakistan to step up mediation efforts and help properly resolve issues related to the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, China’s official Xinhua news agency reported on Wednesday.
Wang made the remarks in a telephone conversation with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar the day before.
Wang, also a member of the Politburo of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, appreciated Pakistan’s constructive diplomatic engagement in facilitating contacts between Iran and the United States, noting that such efforts helped extend a temporary ceasefire and ease regional tensions.
He expressed hope that Pakistan would maintain confidence and continue to contribute to the restoration of regional peace at the earliest, which he said is also the common aspiration of the international community.
Dar briefed Wang on Pakistan’s recent mediation efforts to facilitate talks between Iran and the United States, and thanked China for its support of Pakistan’s efforts to promote dialogue. He expressed the hope of strengthening coordination with China to jointly play a positive role in maintaining regional peace and stability.
Wang reiterated China’s principled position, praising Pakistan for facilitating contacts between the United States and Iran, and said Beijing will continue to support Pakistan’s mediation efforts and make its own contribution to this end.
The two sides also discussed broader regional developments and stressed the importance of ensuring stability and uninterrupted maritime passage through the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy artery.
The leaders reviewed preparations for the upcoming 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan, and agreed to deepen strategic communication, strengthen high-level exchanges and advance the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership.
Both sides reiterated their commitment to closer coordination in multilateral forums, including the United Nations, and to jointly uphold multilateralism amid global turmoil.
The contacts between Wang and Dar took place ahead of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s upcoming visit to Beijing.
On Wednesday, in another engagement, Foreign Minister Dar held a telephone conversation with Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Kuwaiti Foreign Minister appreciated the peace efforts undertaken by Pakistan’s political and military leadership, including the Prime Minister and Field Marshal, to promote dialogue and engagement between the United States and Iran, and praised Islamabad’s constructive role in promoting regional peace and stability.
The two ministers discussed the broader implications of the situation around the Strait of Hormuz on the global economy and stressed the importance of a peaceful and lasting resolution to current regional tensions.
Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to support all diplomatic efforts aimed at maintaining peace and stability in the region and beyond, and expressed Pakistan’s desire to continue close coordination with friendly countries, including Kuwait, on evolving regional developments.
