China is ready to work with Pakistan on an “upgraded version” of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), said Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday. In talks with Ishaq Dar, Pakistan’s new deputy prime minister, Wang praised the “ironclad” relationship between the countries and pledged to advance CPEC.
“Both sides should implement the Framework Agreement on Industrial Cooperation,” Mr. Yi said. According to a Chinese foreign ministry readout, he cited a pact signed in 2022. The cooperation areas include industry, agriculture, mining, new energy, and information technology.
According to the Foreign Office, both men co-chaired the fifth round of the China-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue. The deputy prime minister described relations with China as the cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy. He also highlighted threats to regional peace due to India’s occupation of Jammu and Kashmir and appreciated China’s stance on the dispute.
The Foreign Office said Mr. Yi hosted a lunch for Deputy Prime Minister Dar. Mr. Yi and Executive Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, who also met Mr. Dar, called on Pakistan to ensure Chinese workers’ and investments’ safety and security.
Mr. Yi expressed hope that Pakistan will eliminate the concerns of Chinese enterprises and personnel. He called for deeper counterterrorism security cooperation between the countries.
Mr. Dar pledged greater efforts to apprehend the March attack’s perpetrators and enforce laws to ensure the safety of Chinese nationals and projects. He called for a zero-tolerance approach to terrorism.
During his meeting with Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, Mr. Dar expressed condolences over the March 26 Shangla attack and assured zero tolerance for the perpetrators. They also discussed connectivity through the Khunjerab border crossing and a simplified visa regime.
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