ISLAMABAD/BEIJING: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar on Saturday departed for Beijing to co-chair the seventh round of the Pakistan–China Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue, scheduled to take place on Sunday, January 4, the Foreign Office (FO) said.
According to an FO statement, Dar is visiting China at the invitation of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, making him the first foreign dignitary to travel to China in 2026. Wang Yi will co-chair the dialogue alongside his Pakistani counterpart.
Read More: Ishaq Dar to visit China for seventh Pakistan–China strategic dialogue
The Foreign Office said the high-level engagement would review the full spectrum of bilateral cooperation between Pakistan and China, identify new areas of partnership, and further strengthen the two countries’ “all-weather strategic cooperative partnership.”
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar has departed for Beijing to co-chair, with Foreign Minister Wang Yi, the 7th Pakistan–China Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue on 4 January 2026.
The DPM/FM is the first foreign dignitary to visit China in… pic.twitter.com/kpqYha6tol
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) January 3, 2026
🔊PR No.3️⃣8️⃣7️⃣/2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣5️⃣
Curtain Raiser:Visit of the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister to China https://t.co/vrpQHDinWQ pic.twitter.com/j0y6C8fj1l
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) December 31, 2025
Describing the dialogue as the highest consultative mechanism between the two sides, the FO noted that it provides a structured platform to assess progress across political, economic, security and people-to-people cooperation, as well as to exchange views on regional and international developments of mutual interest.
During the dialogue, the two foreign ministers are also expected to announce a series of initiatives and commemorative activities marking the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China.
The FO said Dar’s visit was an important component of regular high-level exchanges between Islamabad and Beijing, reflecting the shared resolve of both countries to broaden and deepen their partnership. It added that the engagement would reaffirm Pakistan and China’s mutual commitment to regional peace, stability and sustainable development.
Read More: Pakistan, China reaffirm all-weather strategic partnership
The previous, sixth round of the strategic dialogue was held in Islamabad in August last year, during which Wang Yi visited Pakistan and held meetings with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, President Asif Ali Zardari and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.
At that time, China reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with Pakistan to promote regional peace, development and stability, underscoring the enduring nature of the bilateral relationship.