China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi is set to arrive in Islamabad on August 21st for a crucial two-day visit, according to a statement from the Foreign Office.
The trip, following a stop in New Delhi, signals the deepening strategic partnership between China and Pakistan and aims to address a range of bilateral and international issues. Minister Yi will hold high-level meetings with Pakistan’s civil and military leadership, focusing primarily on bolstering the Pakistan-China strategic dialogue.
Key topics of discussion are expected to include the aftermath of the four-day India-Pakistan military conflict in May, where China’s indirect but significant support for Pakistan, including the provision of advanced military technology, played a pivotal role. Reports suggest that Chinese J-10C fighter jets and PL-15 beyond-visual-range missiles were instrumental in Pakistan’s success in downing several Indian fighter jets, including French-made Rafales. China’s continued diplomatic support following the Pahalgam incident, which brought the two nuclear-armed neighbours to the brink of war, will also be a significant point of discussion. The recent Iran-Israel conflict in June and the evolving relationship between Pakistan and the United States are further issues expected to feature prominently in the talks.
The visit will also serve to finalize the agenda for Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s upcoming trip to China later this month. Sharif is scheduled to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit and will hold bilateral meetings with Chinese leaders. While not explicitly stated, the discussions are likely to encompass a wide range of economic and trade cooperation initiatives, potentially focusing on the progress and future of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
The visit comes as Pakistan also seeks to improve relations with other regional players, as evidenced by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar’s planned visit to Dhaka on August 23rd to further strengthen ties with Bangladesh.
