ISLAMABAD, Jan 5 (APP): Pakistan and China on Monday agreed to further align their development plans and priorities, and build an upgraded version 2.0 of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)- a pioneering project of Belt and Road Initiative.
The two sides agreed to focus on the three key sectors of industry, agriculture and mining, promote the building and operation of the Gwadar Port, ensure the smooth passage of the Karakoram Highway, and enhance Pakistan’s capacity for sustainable development.
According to a joint press communiqué of the Seventh Round of China-Pakistan Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue, the two sides will deepen cooperation in areas such as 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 will also take the year-round opening of the Khunjerab Pass as an opportunity to deepen two-way trade and people-to-people exchanges. They also welcomed third-party participation in CPEC cooperation that conforms with the modalities set by China and Pakistan.
The two sides also agreed to further strengthen cooperation in the financial and banking sectors, including extending mutual support at regional and international multilateral financial forums. Pakistan appreciated China for providing support for its fiscal and financial sectors.
At the invitation of Wang Yi, Member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and Foreign Minister of China, Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Pakistan, visited China from January 3 to January 5, 2026. On January 4, 2026, Wang Yi and Mohammad Ishaq Dar co-chaired the Seventh Round of China-Pakistan Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue in Beijing.
During the dialogue, Pakistan and China agreed to enhance strategic communication, deepen strategic mutual trust, jointly safeguard their common interests, promote the economic and social development of the two countries, and safeguard and advance peace, development and prosperity of the region and beyond.
The two sides announced the launch of commemorative activities in 2026 celebrating the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan, which will serve as an opportunity to consolidate China-Pakistan friendship and expand new areas of cooperation.
Pakistan spoke highly of China’s development achievements in the new era under the leadership of President Xi Jinping, and congratulated China on the successful conclusion of the 14th Five-Year Plan and the upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan.
Pakistan firmly supported every effort of China to achieve national reunification, and opposes any form of “Taiwan independence” and any attempt to create “two Chinas” or “one China, one Taiwan.”
Pakistan also firmly supported China on issues concerning Xinjiang, Xizang, Hong Kong and the South China Sea. China reiterated its steadfast support for Pakistan in safeguarding its sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. While China supported Pakistan in firmly combating terrorism and playing a bigger role in international and regional affairs.
Likewise, China commended the comprehensive measures taken by Pakistan to combat terrorism and protect the safety of Chinese personnel, projects and institutions in Pakistan.
China fully recognized the significant contributions and huge sacrifices that Pakistan made in combating terrorism over the years. The two sides reiterated their commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations with zero tolerance, and agreed to further deepen all-round cooperation on counter-terrorism and security, and make concerted efforts to ensure that the China-Pakistan Belt and Road cooperation advance in a secure and smooth manner.
The two sides expressed satisfaction at their expanding space cooperation and for the expected early entrance of Pakistani astronauts into the China Space Station. They agreed to explore space in a peaceful and mutually beneficial manner for greater economic and social development and prosperity.
Furthermore, the two sides expressed support for the postwar international order underpinned by international legal documents such as the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Proclamation and other principles of international law for the maintenance of world peace and security, and protect historical truth and international justice.
The two sides emphasized the importance of a South Asian regional order underpinned by the U.N. Charter, international law, and the basic norms governing international relations, reiterated opposition to any unilateral actions, and reaffirmed the significance of maintaining peace and stability in South Asia and the necessity of resolving all outstanding disputes through dialogue and consultation.
The Pakistani side briefed the Chinese side on its position on and latest developments of the situation in Jammu and Kashmir. China reiterated that the Jammu and Kashmir dispute is left over from history, and should be properly and peacefully resolved in accordance with the U.N. Charter, relevant U.N. Security Council resolutions and bilateral agreements.
The two sides expressed readiness to conduct trans-boundary water resources cooperation under the principle of equality and mutual benefit, and emphasized the imperative of fulfilling international legal obligations. The significance of the maintenance of international and regional security and stability was reiterated.
The two sides expressed readiness to continue leveraging the China-Afghanistan-Pakistan Trilateral Foreign Ministers’ Dialogue and the China-Bangladesh-Pakistan cooperation mechanism to deliver new outcomes.
The two sides reaffirmed their readiness to further enhance cooperation under the frameworks of the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative and the Global Governance Initiative, make the global governance system more just and equitable, and join hands to build a community with a shared future for humanity.
Pakistan highly commended China’s efforts to safeguard developing countries’ right to sustainable development. The two sides expressed satisfaction over their cooperation within multilateral mechanisms such as the U.N. and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), and agreed to deepen coordination and collaboration to safeguard the common interests of developing countries and international fairness and justice.
The two sides agreed to keep in close communication and coordination on the Afghan issue, work with the international community to encourage the Afghan government to build an inclusive political framework, adopt moderate policies, focus on development, pursue good-neighborliness, and play a constructive role in helping Afghanistan achieve stable development and integrate into the international community.
The two sides called for an unconditional, comprehensive and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, and reaffirmed their support for the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and for the implementation of the two-state solution with the establishment of an independent state of Palestine.
The two sides also expressed their concern at the situation in the occupied West Bank, and urged the need for urgently addressing it. The two sides expressed willingness to work with the international community to make unremitting efforts for peace and stability in the Middle East.
The two sides reiterated that China and Pakistan will further promote their ironclad ties, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, and continue to strengthen their strategic cooperation to break new ground and set new goals in their All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership.