Pakistan, China enter new phase of CPEC cooperation: Dar

ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Wednesday said Pakistan and China were entering a new phase of strategic economic cooperation under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) 2.0, with the next stage of the flagship initiative focusing on industrialisation, agriculture, information technology, mining, minerals and human resource development.

Addressing a reception hosted by the Chinese Embassy to mark the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC), Dar congratulated the Chinese leadership and people on the occasion and paid tribute to the CPC's role in transforming China into a global economic powerhouse.

He reaffirmed that the Pakistan-China All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership remains the cornerstone of Pakistan's foreign policy and national development agenda, describing bilateral ties as a model of mutual trust, respect and win-win cooperation.

He said China's extraordinary economic achievements and its success in lifting hundreds of millions of people out of poverty stand among the greatest development accomplishments in modern history, benefiting not only the Chinese people but also contributing significantly to global prosperity through the principles of shared development and building a community with a shared future for mankind.

Highlighting the enduring friendship between Islamabad and Beijing, Dar said Pakistan-China relations had grown stronger over successive generations and continued to enjoy broad political consensus in both countries.

He said the two countries have consistently supported each other's sovereignty, territorial integrity and core national interests, making their partnership a source of regional stability and economic cooperation.

The deputy prime minister described the launch of CPEC in 2015 as a watershed moment in bilateral relations, saying the multi-billion-dollar initiative had transformed Pakistan's economic landscape by addressing chronic energy shortages, modernising transport infrastructure and creating thousands of employment opportunities, particularly in less-developed regions.

Looking ahead, Dar said CPEC Phase 2.0 would prioritise high-quality development through deeper collaboration in industrialisation, agriculture, information technology, mines and minerals, and skills development.

He noted that the next phase of the corridor aligns closely with Pakistan's 5Es Framework, which focuses on exports, e-Pakistan, energy and infrastructure, environment and climate resilience, and equity and empowerment.

"This new phase of CPEC will inject fresh momentum into Pakistan's economic transformation while creating greater opportunities for innovation, investment and sustainable growth for both countries," he said.

Dar expressed confidence that the enhanced partnership would accelerate efforts to build a stronger China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and further deepen the China-Pakistan Community with a Shared Future in the New Era.

Emphasising the importance of political engagement, the deputy prime minister said regular exchanges between the Communist Party of China and Pakistan's political parties had strengthened mutual understanding, facilitated the sharing of governance experiences and reinforced people-to-people ties.

He observed that successive governments in Pakistan, irrespective of political affiliation, had consistently accorded the highest priority to relations with China, reflecting the enduring nature of the bilateral partnership.

Dar also underscored the longstanding relationship between the Communist Party of China and the Pakistan Muslim League (N), saying sustained party-to-party cooperation had played an important role in further strengthening bilateral relations.

Recalling his recent visit to Beijing on May 24, he said he had attended, as the chief guest, a ceremony organised by the International Department of the CPC to commemorate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China, describing the event as a reflection of the historic friendship between the two countries.

Reaffirming Pakistan's commitment to regional peace and international stability, Dar said Islamabad and Beijing would continue working closely on bilateral, regional and global issues while promoting peace, sustainable development and shared prosperity.

He said Pakistan looked forward to expanding cooperation with China across emerging sectors under CPEC 2.0 and further strengthening the iron-clad friendship that has remained a defining feature of the two countries' strategic partnership for more than seven decades.