Top Chinese, Pakistani diplomats discuss CPEC progress

During the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in Tianjin on Wednesday, Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi to discuss the ongoing developments of the multibillion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

An official statement highlighted the strength of the bilateral All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership and expressed satisfaction with the close collaboration across various sectors.

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to further enhance bilateral cooperation aimed at promoting regional peace, stability, and development.

This marked the third meeting between Dar and Wang since the escalation of tensions between Pakistan and India in May, with previous meetings held in Beijing and Hong Kong.

In May, China, Pakistan, and Afghanistan agreed to extend the CPEC project into Afghanistan.

Valued at $64 billion, the project forms a flagship component of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, linking China’s Xinjiang province in the northwest with Pakistan’s Gwadar port in Balochistan through an extensive network of roads, railways, and pipelines designed for cargo, oil, and gas transport.

The Belt and Road Initiative is China’s global infrastructure strategy, launched in 2013, aimed at enhancing economic connectivity between China and partner countries.

Additionally, during the Tianjin meetings, Ishaq Dar held bilateral talks with foreign ministers from Russia, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan.

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