ISLAMABAD – July 17, 2025:
Pakistan and China have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral ties, with both countries agreeing to enhance cooperation in a range of sectors including agriculture, mining, and regional stability.
The renewed pledge came during a meeting between Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar and his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Foreign Ministers’ meeting in the Chinese city of Tianjin.
According to a statement issued by the Foreign Office, the two sides held wide-ranging talks covering bilateral relations, regional dynamics, and global developments. Dar congratulated China on successfully hosting the SCO event and expressed gratitude for the warm hospitality extended during the visit.
Both leaders emphasized the importance of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and acknowledged the progress made under the initiative. They also reaffirmed their resolve to further expand cooperation under the banner of the Pakistan-China All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership, which remains a cornerstone of Islamabad’s foreign policy.
China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi expressed Beijing’s readiness to deepen economic collaboration with Pakistan, particularly in agriculture, industrial development, and mining. He also assured continued Chinese support for Pakistan’s counter-terrorism efforts and expressed confidence in Islamabad’s ability to ensure the safety of Chinese nationals and projects operating within the country.
The meeting took place just ahead of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s scheduled visit to China later this August, where he is expected to participate in the SCO Heads of Government summit and hold a bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Official sources say the Prime Minister will be accompanied by Chief of Army Staff, General Syed Asim Munir—highlighting the strategic importance of the trip.
The upcoming visit gains further significance in the wake of a recent four-day military skirmish between Pakistan and India, during which the Pakistan Air Force reportedly shot down six Indian fighter jets, including French-made Rafales. Western defense analysts took note of Pakistan’s performance, particularly the role played by Chinese-made J-10C jets and advanced PL-15 missiles. However, experts say it was Pakistan’s indigenous integration and multi-domain combat strategy that made the difference.
In a show of growing defense ties, the head of China’s Air Force, during a recent trip to Pakistan, expressed keen interest in learning from Pakistan’s real-time combat experience and evolving battlefield doctrine.
Meanwhile, in a recent statement, the Indian Deputy Army Chief described the situation as a “two-front conflict,” suggesting active Chinese backing for Pakistan. However, Pakistan’s military leadership, during a Corps Commanders’ Conference, dismissed such claims, asserting the conflict was entirely bilateral and managed independently.
Senator Dar has now returned to Islamabad after concluding his three-day visit, during which he also held bilateral talks with several other SCO member states. The visit, officials say, reinforced Pakistan’s diplomatic outreach and reaffirmed its enduring partnership with China in a rapidly evolving regional landscape.
