Chinese FM meets Pakistan army chief, vows to strengthen strategic partnership

China’s foreign minister met Pakistan’s army chief Friday, pledging to deepen their “all-weather strategic partnership” amid shifting regional security dynamics, Pakistan’s military said.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Field Marshal Asim Munir discussed counterterrorism, regional stability, and broader security cooperation during talks in Islamabad.

Both sides vowed to coordinate more closely at regional and global forums.

Wang reaffirmed Beijing’s support for Pakistan’s sovereignty, security, and development, calling the South Asian nation “an indispensable partner.”

Munir thanked China for its diplomatic, economic and strategic backing, saying the two countries had “stood by each other in testing times.”

The meeting came as Wang began a three-day visit to Islamabad on Thursday, where he will co-chair the sixth Pakistan-China Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.

The forum will review ties in political, economic, and security spheres, including progress on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a multi-billion-dollar infrastructure program under Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative.

Wang’s stop in Pakistan follows visits to India and Afghanistan.

In Kabul, China, Pakistan and Afghanistan pledged to boost counterterrorism cooperation and regional connectivity.

China has invested tens of billions of dollars in Pakistan through transport, energy and infrastructure projects.

Beijing describes the two countries as “ironclad friends and all-weather strategic partners,” even as it seeks to balance ties with both India and Pakistan.