Pakistan and China to Enhance Cooperation in Industrial and Agricultural Sectors

Islamabad: Pakistan and China have agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in industrial, agricultural, and mining sectors, as well as to enhance people-to-people contacts and cultural cooperation. An understanding to this effect was reached during the Sixth Round of Pakistan-China Strategic Dialogue held in Islamabad, co-chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

According to Radio Pakistan, at a news conference following the dialogue, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi expressed firm support to enhance Pakistan’s economic resilience. Wang Yi emphasized the importance of high-quality development of an upgraded version of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), pledging to build on past achievements and develop more corridors.

Both countries will also support the development and operations of Gwadar Port and promote the Karakoram Highway realignment project. Wang Yi welcomed third-party participation in the ML-1 project of Pakistan Railways. In light of recent floods in Pakistan, he announced immediate emergency humanitarian assistance from China for the flood victims.

China commended Pakistan’s efforts and sacrifices in combating terrorism and expressed confidence in Pakistan’s counter-terrorism operations. Both nations agreed to deepen counter-terrorism and security cooperation amid challenges in South Asia and broader global transformations, advocating for dispute resolution through dialogue.

The Chinese Foreign Minister praised the ironclad friendship between China and Pakistan, highlighting their unbreakable strategic and cooperative partnership. Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar described the talks with Wang Yi as fruitful, covering bilateral relations including CPEC, trade, investment, and people-to-people cooperation.

Preparations for Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s upcoming visit to China were also discussed. The Prime Minister will attend the SCO Council of Heads of State Summit and meet Chinese leaders, with a Pakistan-China Business-to-Business Investment Conference planned during the visit. The countries will celebrate the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic relations next year with a series of events.

Ishaq Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening the friendship with China through enhanced cooperation, expressing gratitude for China’s support in safeguarding Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Both countries agreed to continue their cooperation at multilateral forums, including the UN Security Council.