• Partnership with Islamabad ‘means a lot’ for governments and regional stability, says Wang
• Dar stresses ‘sincere and concerted efforts’ under int’l law and norms over ‘unilateralism, belligerence, and brinkmanship’

KARACHI, Pakistan

China and Pakistan on Thursday held their sixth round of strategic dialogue in Islamabad, with both sides agreeing that bilateral ties are "significant" for maintaining regional peace and stability, and indispensable for the progress and prosperity of the two countries, a statement from Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar represented their respective delegations in the talks, which reviewed the full range of bilateral relations alongside regional and global issues, the statement said.

The ministers also exchanged "in-depth" views on multiple facets of bilateral cooperation, including the second phase of the multibillion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, trade, investment, multilateral cooperation, and people-to-people ties.

The two sides also agreed to maintain close coordination, both bilaterally and in international forums.

Speaking at a joint news conference with Dar, Wang said the partnership between Beijing and Islamabad is “unbreakable” and "means a lot for our respective governments, as well as regional peace and stability."

He praised Pakistan's "tireless" sacrifices in fighting terrorism and expressed confidence that Islamabad would “effectively” safeguard Chinese personnel, projects, and institutions in the country.

The two sides have reached an agreement "on almost every issue," said Wang, adding that China supports resolving disputes in South Asia through dialogue and consultation.

Dar, in return, said the two sides agreed that instead of resorting to "unilateralism, belligerence and brinkmanship, "sincere and concerted efforts should be made for the settlement of all outstanding issues, as per international law and established norms of interstate relations."

While extending support to China "on all issues of its core concern," Dar thanked Wang for China's "firm support to Pakistan for safeguarding its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national dignity."

All-weather’ partners since 1950

Wang arrived in Islamabad on Wednesday after visits to India and Afghanistan. This is his second visit to Pakistan in three years.

Since establishing diplomatic ties in 1950, Beijing and Islamabad have described their relationship as an “all-weather strategic cooperative partnership.” China has become Pakistan’s largest arms supplier, while bilateral trade volume surpassed $23 billion in 2024.

A crucial factor in bilateral ties is the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, a more than $62-billion infrastructure project connecting China's strategically important northwestern Xinjiang province with Balochistan's Gwadar port in southwestern Pakistan.

At a trilateral meeting in Kabul on Wednesday with Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, Wang and Dar agreed to extend the project to Afghanistan.