Dar hails ‘iron brotherhood’ with China as Pakistan pushes CPEC 2.0 and business-led partnership

• Pakistan, China mark 75 years of diplomatic ties with renewed strategic engagement

• DPM/FM says govt-to-govt ties now reinforced by strong business-to-business cooperation

• Dar highlights emerging $1bn Servis–Long March Tyres joint venture within five years

• Over 500 companies attend Pakistan-China B2B Investment Conference in Hangzhou

• Political parties forum in Beijing reaffirms support for CPEC 2.0 and mutual trust

 HANGZHOU/ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Sunday said Pakistan and China’s “iron brotherhood” was growing stronger with each passing year as both countries marked the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations.

“Our friendship has stood the test of time, changing global realities and regional challenges. I am particularly pleased that our historic government-to-government relationship is now being reinforced by a vibrant and expanding business-to-business partnership,” the DPM/FM said while addressing the Pakistan-China B2B Investment Conference on IT & Telecom, battery energy storage systems (BESS) and agriculture in Hangzhou.

Co-chaired today the 2nd China-Pakistan Political Parties Forum and the 4th Meeting of the CPEC Political Parties Joint Consultation Mechanism with Minister H. E. Liu Haixing of the IDCPC, in Beijing.

I was joined by Federal Minister Planning, brother Ahsan Iqbal… pic.twitter.com/6H7iG9TUrK

— Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) May 24, 2026

He said the Chinese economic model of “learning by doing, induction and deduction” offered important lessons for Pakistan’s development trajectory.

Political dialogue and CPEC coordination

Earlier, DPM/FM Ishaq Dar, along with Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, co-chaired the 2nd China-Pakistan Political Parties Forum and the 4th meeting of the CPEC Political Parties Joint Consultation Mechanism in Beijing.

In a post on X, Dar said he was joined by representatives of 12 political parties from Pakistan, including the PML-N, in what he described as a productive and engaging session.

Delighted to have arrived in Beijing, China, accompanied by Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives, brother Ahsan Iqbal @betterPakistan.

We were warmly received at Beijing airport by Vice Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee… pic.twitter.com/yStL12gQTC

— Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) May 24, 2026

He said the forum provided “an excellent opportunity for meaningful dialogue between political parties of both countries,” reaffirming shared commitments to strengthening strategic mutual trust, advancing CPEC 2.0, deepening economic cooperation and enhancing people-to-people linkages.

Dar and Ahsan Iqbal arrived in Beijing earlier on Sunday and were received at the airport by Vice Minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (IDCPC), Sun Haiyan.

In earlier posts, Dar said he would attend as chief guest at the political parties forum alongside IDCPC Minister Liu Haixing, adding that he looked forward to discussions on strengthening political trust, advancing high-quality CPEC cooperation and deepening the Pakistan–China friendship.

 Business-to-business push and investment drive

Addressing the B2B Investment Conference in Hangzhou, Dar said over 500 companies from Pakistan and China were participating in the event, calling them the “driving force” of the bilateral partnership.

“This conference belongs to you: it is for you, and because of you,” he said, according to a Foreign Office transcript.

Deputy Prime Minister/ Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 delivered welcome remarks at the Pakistan–China B2B Investment Conference in Hangzhou, led by Hon’ble Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif @CMShehbaz and attended by the Governor of Zhejiang… pic.twitter.com/Rulyove8p2

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) May 24, 2026

He said the government was pursuing an ambitious agenda of economic revival, industrial expansion and sustainable growth, adding that Pakistan had achieved economic stabilisation over the past four years despite external challenges.

Dar also highlighted emerging industrial collaborations, noting that a joint venture between Servis Group of Pakistan and Long March Tyres of China was set to evolve into a billion-dollar enterprise within five years.

Agreements, MoUs and CPEC-related developments

On Saturday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif signed an MoU on establishing a sister-province relationship between Zhejiang and Punjab and witnessed the signing of an agreement between Hangzhou Normal University and the Embassy of Pakistan in Beijing for the China–Pakistan Joint Technology Research Centre.

The Foreign Office said the visit carried special significance as both countries marked 75 years of diplomatic relations, adding that it would help reaffirm the “all-weather strategic cooperative partnership” and advance the vision of a closer Pakistan–China community with a shared future.

According to the FO, both sides will review cooperation in political, economic and strategic domains, with particular focus on CPEC Phase-II, trade, investment, industrial cooperation, agricultural modernisation, IT, science and technology, and people-to-people exchanges.

It added that the visit was expected to further deepen political trust, strengthen strategic coordination and expand practical cooperation between the two countries.

Regional situation also on agenda

Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said during his weekly briefing that the US-Iran situation was also expected to come up during discussions between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the Chinese leadership.

He said Pakistan and China remained closely coordinated on regional developments and peace efforts, recalling recent high-level engagements and a joint five-point understanding issued earlier.

“Pakistan and China have maintained close coordination on the standoff in the Middle East,” he said, adding that the issue would also be part of the premier’s discussions during the visit.