On May 15, 2024, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi and Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar jointly met the press after the fifth round of the China-Pakistan Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue in Beijing.
Wang Yi noted the fact that Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Dar has made China the first country to visit in his new official capacity reflects the special importance the Pakistani side attaches to China-Pakistan relations. Wang said he and Dar just had comprehensive and in-depth strategic communication on China-Pakistan relations and cooperation in various fields, and international and regional issues of mutual interest, and reached a broad consensus. The two sides agreed that China and Pakistan are all-weather strategic cooperative partners. The “ironclad” friendship between the two sides has stood the test of the times and remained rock firm and profoundly important. In a volatile and changing world, a sound, stable and robust China-Pakistan relationship is of great significance to regional peace and prosperity.
Wang Yi stressed that both sides should further consolidate and develop their all-weather strategic cooperative partnership by firmly upholding “four commitments.”
First, stay firmly committed to supporting each other in safeguarding core interests. China appreciates Pakistan’s unswerving commitment to the one-China principle and firm support for China on the Taiwan question and issues relating to Xinjiang, Xizang and Hong Kong. China will continue to firmly support Pakistan in safeguarding national sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, pursuing a development path suited to its national conditions, resolutely combating terrorism, and playing a greater role in international and regional affairs. The two sides will fully leverage the role of various consultation and cooperation mechanisms in the political and security fields and unwaveringly understand and support each other on issues related to each other’s core interests and major concerns.
Second, stay firmly committed to advancing all-round practical cooperation. Both sides agreed to strengthen the synergy of development strategies and policy coordination, upgrade the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, and help Pakistan better achieve economic growth, improve people’s livelihood and promote scientific innovation and green development. At the same time, both sides will actively and properly promote third-party participation in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor cooperation. Efforts should also be made to strengthen cooperation in industry, agriculture, mining, new energy, information technology and other fields based on local conditions to help Pakistan achieve independent, balanced and sustainable development. Existing major connectivity projects should be advanced to contribute to Pakistan’s national development, further unleash Pakistan’s geographical advantages and promote the process of regional economic integration.
Third, stay firmly committed to ensuring common security. The Pakistani side briefed the Chinese side on the investigation results of the terrorist attack on a convoy of Chinese nationals en route to the Dasu Hydropower Project in Pakistan on March 26, and once again extended its deep condolences for the Chinese victims. The Pakistani side pledged to continue to do its utmost to hunt down the perpetrators and bring them to justice and protect the safety of Chinese nationals, projects and institutions in Pakistan. China and Pakistan will further deepen counter-terrorism and security cooperation, and call on the international community to further build a united front against terrorism, take a zero-tolerance approach in combating all forms of terrorism, and eliminate the breeding ground of terrorism by addressing both its symptoms and root causes.
Fourth, stay firmly committed to upholding international fairness and justice. The two sides will continue to strengthen coordination and cooperation in the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and other multilateral mechanisms to safeguard the common interests of developing countries. The Pakistani side reiterated its support for the vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind and major proposals such as the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping. On the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, Chin is consistent in its position, and has been calling for the full implementation of the UN Security Council Resolution 2728, the immediate realization of an unconditional and enduring ceasefire, and the effective protection of civilians. Both sides agreed to oppose unilateralism, hegemonism and power politics, oppose any attempt to create bloc rivalry and camp-based confrontation, and jointly safeguard peace, stability, development and prosperity in the region and the world at large.
Wang Yi said China is now endeavoring to build itself into a great modern socialist country in all respects and advance the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through the Chinese path to modernization. The Pakistani government is committed to leading the people to achieve national security, stability, development and prosperity. Both sides will work together to follow through on the important common understandings reached by the leaders of the two countries, enhance exchanges at all levels, deepen cooperation across the board, jointly cope with risks and challenges, and accelerate the building of an even closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era, so as to bring greater benefits to the two countries and peoples.
