PNN: Pakistan and China have agreed to align their development strategies and advance an upgraded version of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC 2.0) following wide-ranging talks in Beijing that also addressed political, security, and regional issues.
The Seventh Round of the Pakistan-China Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue was co-chaired in Beijing on January 4 by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, who was visiting China from January 3 to January 5 at Wang’s invitation, according to a joint press communiqué issued at the conclusion of the talks on Monday.
During the dialogue, the two sides exchanged views on strategic and political cooperation, defence and security, economy, trade, investment, and cultural and people-to-people exchanges. They also discussed international and regional issues of shared interest and agreed to enhance strategic communication, deepen strategic mutual trust, safeguard common interests, and promote economic and social development in both countries, as well as peace and prosperity in the region and beyond.
As part of their economic engagement, Pakistan and China agreed to develop an upgraded CPEC, a pioneering project of the Belt and Road Initiative. The two sides said the new phase would focus on the key sectors of industry, agriculture and mining, promote the building and operation of Gwadar Port, ensure the smooth passage of the Karakoram Highway, and enhance Pakistan’s capacity for sustainable development.
They also agreed to deepen cooperation in trade and investment, information technology, science and technology, cybersecurity, technical and vocational training and education, and people-to-people and cultural exchanges. The two sides stated that the year-round opening of the Khunjerab Pass would facilitate two-way trade and further strengthen people-to-people contacts. They also welcomed third-party participation in CPEC cooperation in accordance with the modalities agreed by both countries.
The dialogue took place as Pakistan and China announced plans to launch commemorative activities in 2026, marking the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. 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 sides also reaffirmed mutual support on issues concerning their respective core interests and expressed readiness to further strengthen cooperation in areas including counter-terrorism, finance and banking, space cooperation and multilateral forums.
The next round of the China-Pakistan Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue will be held in Islamabad next year on mutually convenient dates, the communiqué said.