Pakistan reaffirms strong strategic ties with China

The Foreign Office of Pakistan has reiterated that Pakistan and China maintain a strong and trusted partnership, dismissing speculation surrounding recent diplomatic interactions between the two countries.

In an official statement, the spokesperson said both governments remain in regular communication on issues of shared interest and strategic importance. Officials explained that recent discussions between senior diplomats focused on bilateral cooperation as well as regional developments, particularly the situation in Afghanistan.

The clarification came after a recent telephone conversation between Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi. According to the spokesperson, the call included detailed talks on a wide range of matters related to cooperation between the two countries.

The Foreign Office noted that developments in Afghanistan were among the topics discussed during the conversation, a point that had already been confirmed during the ministry’s weekly media briefing last week.

Officials also referred to recent diplomatic consultations involving China’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Yue Xiaoyong, who visited Pakistan for talks. During his meetings, discussions addressed the situation in Afghanistan along with broader issues concerning peace and stability in the region.

According to the statement, both sides exchanged views on the evolving political and security environment in Afghanistan and explored possible avenues for cooperation to support regional stability. Pakistan and China have continued close dialogue on Afghanistan since the political transition in Kabul, reflecting their shared concerns about security, economic recovery, and humanitarian challenges.

The spokesperson also responded to reports suggesting that China might be mediating between Pakistan and Afghanistan, urging analysts and commentators not to draw premature conclusions from routine diplomatic engagements.

Reaffirming the longstanding relationship between the two countries, the spokesperson said Pakistan and China remain close friends and reliable partners. Officials added that diplomatic consultations between Islamabad and Beijing are part of regular coordination on political, economic, and security matters.

They emphasised that such exchanges through high-level visits, phone calls, and institutional dialogue highlight the depth of cooperation between the two countries and their shared commitment to regional peace and stability.