ISLAMABAD: A fresh round of Strategic Dialogue between Pakistan and China will be held in Islamabad on August 20-21. It will be attended by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, as both countries seek to further strengthen bilateral ties given the regional dynamics.
The Foreign Office is reluctant to comment but expected to announce the visit of Wang Yi during the weekly press briefing today (Friday).
The Chinese media has confirmed the arrival of Wang Yi in Pakistan. He is coming before Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Tianjin, China, on August 31 to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Summit.
The first Foreign Ministers Pak-China Strategic Dialogue was held in March 2019 in Beijing between former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
Besides discussions with Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar at the Foreign Office, the Chinese dignitary will also call on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The Chinese media points out that the Strategic Dialogue, like in the past, will focus on the progress on CPEC, economic cooperation, regional stability, geopolitical developments, defence and security cooperation and all aspects of bilateral relations.
Wang Yi marks his first visit to Islamabad after the recent unprovoked missile attack by India on Pakistan, where the Chinese government openly supported Pakistan and congratulated the PAF on its remarkable performance while bringing down Indian jets.
Citing Chinese diplomatic sources, the media notes that the visit holds significant importance given the current shifts in South Asia’s strategic landscape.
Wang Yi’s arrival comes after his very important meeting with Pakistani Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir in Beijing on July 24.
Wang Yi congratulated Asim Munir on his appointment as Field Marshal of the Pakistan Army, stating that the Pakistani military stands as a staunch defender of national interests and a firm supporter of China-Pakistan friendship. He expressed the hope that the Pakistani military will continue to make efforts for the development of China-Pakistan relations.
Wang Yi said that China and Pakistan are ironclad friends and all-weather strategic cooperative partners. The two sides have always firmly supported each other on issues concerning their respective core interests and have stood together in the face of various challenges.
