DPM Dar in Beijing as Pakistan, China to hold strategic dialogue

China and Pakistan will hold a crucial “strategic dialogue” on Sunday, as Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar arrived in the Chinese capital on Saturday, becoming the first senior foreign diplomat to visit Beijing in 2026.

He will co-chair the seventh round of Strategic Dialogue between the Foreign Ministers of Pakistan and China with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, in the backdrop of several regional and international developments.

A senior Foreign Ministry official said the last strategic dialogue took place in August and holding the next one in such a short time highlighted the close cooperation and consultations between the two “ironclad brothers”.

The forum primarily aims to discuss broader regional and international issues and work towards aligning positions. Ongoing developments, spanning from South Asia to the Middle East and other global hotspots, make the upcoming strategic dialogue between the two countries even more significant.

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At Beijing International Airport, Dar was received by China’s Special Representative for Afghanistan Ambassador Yue Xiaoyong, Pakistan’s Ambassador to China, and senior officials of the Pakistan Embassy, ​​reflecting the ceremonial and high-level nature of the visit. The dialogue is scheduled for Sunday and Dar is also expected to witness a series of commemorative events celebrating the long-standing partnership between Islamabad and Beijing.

The upcoming meeting represents the highest consultative mechanism between Pakistan and China, providing a structured platform to review the entire spectrum of bilateral relations, including political, economic and security cooperation, as well as people-to-people exchanges. It also provides the opportunity to coordinate positions on regional and global developments of mutual interest.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the strategic dialogue “forms an important part of the regular high-level exchanges between Pakistan and China and reflects their shared determination to expand and deepen the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership.” He added that both sides remain committed to peace, stability and sustainable development in the region.

The Strategic Dialogue of Foreign Ministers of Pakistan and China has been institutionalized to provide a formal mechanism for in-depth consultations on bilateral and regional issues. The upcoming seventh round follows the last meeting held in August 2025, less than five months ago, signaling the accelerated pace of high-level interactions between the two countries.

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in May 1951, Pakistan was among the first countries to recognize the People’s Republic of China. Over the decades, ties have evolved into a multifaceted partnership characterized by strong political trust, close defense cooperation and growing economic engagement. The relationship has survived multiple regional upheavals and global power shifts, with the two countries often describing each other as “iron brothers.”

Beijing has consistently supported Islamabad on fundamental issues, including the Kashmir conflict, while Pakistan has reaffirmed China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity on the international stage. Defense collaboration and security coordination have remained essential elements of the bilateral partnership, strengthening the strategic stability of both countries in the region.

Economic cooperation, notably through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), has become a central pillar of bilateral engagement over the past decade.

Despite challenges such as global economic volatility and domestic constraints, both governments reiterated their commitment to high-quality development of CPEC projects. The upcoming dialogue is expected to focus on strengthening industrial collaboration, promoting agricultural innovation, expanding information technology initiatives and pursuing green development projects consistent with the Sustainable Development Goals.

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The dialogue takes place in a rapidly evolving regional security context. Key issues likely to be on the agenda include the situation in Afghanistan after the political transition, ongoing tensions in the Middle East and evolving strategic competition between major powers. Analysts suggest that Islamabad and Beijing could discuss coordinated approaches to regional stability, multilateral diplomacy and security challenges in South and Central Asia.

Additionally, the strategic dialogue provides a means for the two countries to exchange assessments on global developments, including post-pandemic economic recovery trends, energy security concerns, and emerging trade and technology partnerships. Observers note that Beijing’s growing global economic and strategic reach aligns with Islamabad’s goals of stabilizing its economy while leveraging Chinese support for sustainable development.

One of the highlights of Dar’s visit is the celebration of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China in 2026. The dialogue is expected to be accompanied by announcements of joint initiatives and commemorative activities, reflecting decades of enduring trust and cooperation. From cultural exchanges to collaborative development projects, both sides plan to highlight the historical significance of the partnership while charting its trajectory for the future.

“Seventy-five years of diplomatic engagement is an important milestone that not only commemorates history, but also reaffirms our shared vision of long-term cooperation,” the Foreign Ministry said in its statement. The anniversary celebrations are likely to include high-level dialogues, bilateral visits and sectoral initiatives aimed at deepening people-to-people ties, trade and technological collaboration.

Dar’s visit follows a series of high-level engagements between Islamabad and Beijing in recent months, highlighting the dynamics of bilateral relations. The regularity of these dialogues demonstrates the priority that both countries attach to strategic coordination and reflects the mutual recognition of the geostrategic and economic benefits of close cooperation.

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Although the dialogue is primarily consultative, experts expect practical outcomes, including agreements on trade facilitation, energy cooperation, joint infrastructure projects and coordinated diplomatic strategies on regional security issues. The dialogue will also serve as a platform to reaffirm the “all-weather strategic cooperative partnership” and advance the common interests of the two countries at international forums.

Dar’s trip to Beijing highlights the enduring nature of Pakistan-China relations and the shared resolve to collaboratively address regional and global challenges. The strategic dialogue not only consolidates decades of trust and partnership, but also paves the way for a future of expanded economic collaboration, strategic alignment and people-centered engagement between the two countries.