Tianjin, China | July 15, 2025— In a significant diplomatic engagement, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, met with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, during his official visit to Tianjin, China, on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. The high-level dialogue focused extensively on CPEC (China-Pakistan Economic Corridor), bilateral trade, strategic cooperation, and regional stability.
CPEC Tops the Agenda During Bilateral Talks
Right at the start of the meeting, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar extended his heartfelt congratulations to Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the successful organization of the SCO Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. He appreciated China’s warm hospitality and praised the country’s efficient arrangements.
Moving forward, both leaders engaged in detailed discussions regarding the progress and future prospects of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). They acknowledged that CPEC stands as the cornerstone of economic connectivity and regional integration between Pakistan and China. Stressing the urgency to accelerate ongoing projects under CPEC, both sides pledged to eliminate any bureaucratic or security hurdles hampering progress.
Moreover, they recognized the immense economic potential of CPEC, not just for Pakistan and China but also for the broader South Asian region. They emphasized that by enhancing infrastructure, energy, and industrial cooperation through CPEC, regional prosperity and development could be more effectively achieved.
Expanding Bilateral Trade and Strategic Cooperation
In addition to CPEC, Ishaq Dar and Wang Yi discussed ways to diversify and strengthen bilateral trade. They agreed that both nations must take proactive steps to boost trade volume, reduce tariffs, and explore new avenues in agriculture, technology, and green energy.
The two foreign ministers also highlighted the strategic nature of the Pakistan-China relationship. They reaffirmed their resolve to strengthen defense cooperation, intelligence sharing, and joint ventures in innovation and security. Notably, they stressed that peace and stability in South Asia depend greatly on strong and strategic coordination between Islamabad and Beijing.
Furthermore, the ministers acknowledged the changing dynamics of international politics and underlined the need for enhanced collaboration within multilateral platforms like the SCO, the United Nations, and BRICS. Both sides expressed the desire to present a unified stance on global challenges, including climate change, cyber security, and food insecurity.
Commitment to Regional Peace and Stability
As the meeting concluded, both foreign ministers expressed unwavering commitment to promoting regional peace, stability, and development. They agreed to continue holding high-level consultations regularly to ensure uninterrupted progress on bilateral projects like CPEC and other regional initiatives.
Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar reiterated that Pakistan views China not only as an “iron brother” but also as a long-term development partner. On his part, Wang Yi emphasized that China considers Pakistan an indispensable strategic ally in South Asia and stands ready to support it in all developmental and regional matters.
The meeting between Ishaq Dar and Wang Yi in Tianjin marks another milestone in the deep-rooted diplomatic and strategic relationship between Pakistan and China. With CPEC at the center of their cooperation, both nations appear firmly aligned to navigate emerging regional challenges and seize new opportunities for shared prosperity.
Conclusion
The Tianjin meeting reaffirmed the trust, mutual respect, and strategic alignment that define Pakistan-China relations. As CPEC continues to evolve, it remains crucial to the regional narrative of economic growth, development, and connectivity. The sustained efforts of leaders like Ishaq Dar and Wang Yi are playing a pivotal role in ensuring that CPEC becomes a game-changer not just for their own countries but for the entire region.
