Chinese FM visits Pakistan: A move to further strengthen Pakistan-China Friendship
Dr. Syed Mehboob
China-Pakistan strategic partnership and deep-rooted friendship are vital for durable peace and development in the region. This friendship is time-tested and all-weather. To further strengthen this friendship and to extend cooperation between the two countries, Chinese Foreign Minister Mr. Wang Yi visited Pakistan on a three-day tour from 20 to 22 August 2025. Keeping in view the fast-changing international scenario, the US tariff war, Pakistan’s improved ties with the United States of America, and deteriorating US-India ties whole world’s eyes were on this visit. This visit further highlighted the importance of both countries' strategic partnership. China is one of Pakistan’s most trusted friends. Mutual trust, understanding are further enhanced by this visit.
This visit of Chinese Foreign Minister Mr. Wang Yi was on the invitation of Pakistani Foreign Minister Mr. Ishaq Dar. Mr. Ishaq Dar received Mr. Wang Yi at the Nur Khan Airbase, where senior officials from the foreign ministry and the Chinese Embassy were also present on the occasion. A beautiful group of children in traditional, very attractive Pakistani dress welcomed him and presented a bouquet. During the visit, the Sixth Pakistan China Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue was also held. These talks were co-chaired by Mr. Wang Yi and Mr. Ishaq Dar. The dialogue focused on political, economic, and security cooperation. Mr. Wang Yi’s arrival came ahead of Pakistani Prime Minister Mina Shahbaz Sharif’s planned visit to Beijing at the end of August for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, where he has a plan to meet Chinese President Mr. Xi Jinping. Mr. Wang Yi was on a South Asian visit. First visited India the attended the Sixth Trilateral Foreign Ministers’ Dialogue in Kabul, Afghanistan, alongside Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Afghanistan’s Acting Foreign Minister Mullah Amir Khan Muttaqi. During the dialogue, Pakistan, China, and Afghanistan reaffirmed their commitment to deepen regional cooperation, agreeing to extend the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor( CPEC) into Afghanistan. Pakistan sees China as its top economic and diplomatic ally, with China making extensive investment in power, infrastructure, and telecoms under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
China affirmed its commitment to working with Pakistan on promoting regional peace, development, and stability. Foreign Minister of China Mr. Wang Yi emphasized that China regarded Pakistan as an ironclad friend and a weather strategic partner. He expressed China’s desire to elevate bilateral relations with Pakistan to new heights of cooperation and collaboration. Commending Pakistan’s resolute commitment to safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity, FM China affirmed that his country would continue working jointly with Pakistan to promote regional peace, development, and stability. Welcoming the Chinese Foreign Minister, Prime Minister of Pakistan Mian Shahbaz Sharif expressed deep appreciation for the leadership, government, and the People of China, for their steadfast support to Pakistan in safeguarding its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national development. Pakistani Prime Minister appreciated President Xi Jinping‘s visionary, able, and committed leadership. Recalling his most cordial and productive meeting with the great leader, President Xi Jinping, during his visit to Beijing, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated that he was greatly looking forward to his upcoming visit to Tianjin and Beijing to participate in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Council of Heads of States ( SCO-CHS) summit meeting as well as the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance and World Anti-Fascist War. The Prime Minister said he looked forward to his meeting with President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qing, as well as other senior Chinese leaders, during the forthcoming visit. The Prime Minister reiterated Pakistan’s desire to deepen bilateral cooperation with China in trade, investment, Information and Computer Technology (ICT), agriculture, industrialization, mines and minerals, and other key sectors. He also underscored the importance of China's China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) for Pakistan’s development and its vital role in enhancing regional connectivity, while expressing satisfaction at the steady progress of CPEC Phase 2.0
Wang Yi also met President Asif Ali Zardari at the President's House with Foreign Minister Ishaq, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, and Federal Ministers present as well. President Asif Ali Zardari said that Pakistan and China are iron brothers, time-tested friends, and all-weather strategic partners. And the friendship with China is the cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy, which enjoys unanimous public, political, and institutional support in the country. The president thanked China for its consistent support for Pakistan’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, national development, and its principled and just stance on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute. He added that 2026 marked the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two nations. Pakistan is planning to celebrate the milestone in a magnificent and befitting manner.
President Asif Ali Zardari stated that both countries can utilize this opportunity to pass on the finest traditions of Pakistan-China friendship to their younger generations. The President also regarded the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as having immense strategic significance for both Pakistan and China and described it as an important component to realize their joint vision of enhanced regional connectivity, economic integration, and a peaceful neighborhood.
Expressing his views, Mr. Wang Yi said that the friendship between China and Pakistan has lasted for generations and is based on good faith, credibility, and a strong all-weather strategic partnership. He said President Xi Jinping’s vision is that Pakistan and China have a shared future, and work should be done to bring the two peoples closer to each other. China acknowledges Pakistan’s support for China at key junctures. Matters relating to bilateral cooperation and regional security also come under discussion.
In a meeting with Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Mr. Wang Yi, the two leaders reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to the accelerated development of CPEC during the 6th Strategic Dialogue. The two sides reviewed the entire gamut of Pakistan-China relations and discussed important regional and global issues. They also exchanged in-depth views on multiple facets of bilateral cooperation, including CPEC 2.0, trade and economic relations, multilateral cooperation, and people-to-people ties. Underlining the “ All Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership between Pakistan and China, both officials agreed that their friendship is significant for maintaining regional peace and stability and indispensable for their progress and prosperity. They also agreed to continue close coordination and communication, both bilaterally and in multilateral forums.
Addressing a joint press conference after their meeting, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar termed his talks as being “ fruitful” as the two leaders discussed various matters of mutual interest.
China’s Foreign Ministry has applauded the leadership of Army Chief, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, describing the Pakistan Army as a stabilizing force in the country and a steadfast guardian of the enduring China–Pakistan friendship.
This acknowledgment followed a high-level meeting between Foreign Minister Wang Yi and COAS Munir in Islamabad on August 21. In its statement, the Foreign Ministry said Wang Yi praised the Pakistan Army as a pillar of national stability and a steadfast guardian of the China–Pakistan friendship, noting the military’s role in advancing the consensus reached by the leadership of both countries. Highlighting the strength of bilateral ties, Wang Yi emphasized that fostering stronger China–Pakistan relations contributes to regional peace and stability, while reaffirming Beijing’s unwavering support for Pakistan’s territorial integrity and national security.
Field Marshal Munir responded by calling China “Pakistan’s ironclad friend” and emphasized that their strategic partnership was “as solid as a rock.” He expressed appreciation for Beijing’s long-standing support for Pakistan’s economic and Social development, noting that the friendship enjoys a broad consensus across Pakistani society. He further outlined Pakistan’s commitment to enhancing counterterrorism cooperation and ensuring the protection of Chinese personnel and projects in Pakistan. Both sides agreed to consolidate their all-weather strategic partnership and continue advancing mutual cooperation.
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