In Atak District, Punjab Province, eastern Pakistan, Pakistani agricultural technicians inspect cauliflower seedlings imported from Tianjin, China in farmland. (Xinhua News Agency)

At the invitation of Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mohammad Ishak Dahl, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, will visit China from January 3 to 5, 2026. On January 4, 2026, Wang Yi and Dahl co chaired the 7th China Pakistan Foreign Ministers' Strategic Dialogue in Beijing, during which the two sides exchanged comprehensive views on bilateral relations and cooperation in various fields such as strategy, politics, defense and security, economy, trade, investment, and humanities, and discussed international and regional issues of common concern.

The two sides agreed to deepen the docking of development plans and priority areas, and create the "2.0 upgraded version" of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor, a pilot project of the "the Belt and Road" initiative. Both sides agree to focus on the three major fields of industry, agriculture, and mining, build and operate Gwadar Port well, ensure smooth access to the Karakoram Highway, and enhance Pakistan's sustainable development capabilities. Both sides will also deepen cooperation in areas such as economy, trade and investment, information technology, science and technology, network security, vocational and technical training and education, and cultural exchanges. Both sides are willing to fully utilize the opportunity of the year-round opening of the Hongqilafu Port to deepen economic and trade exchanges as well as cultural exchanges between China and Pakistan. Both sides welcome third-party participation in the China Pakistan Economic Corridor cooperation according to the agreed model between China and Pakistan.

In addition, both sides also agreed to further strengthen cooperation in the financial and banking industries of the two countries, including mutual support on regional and international multilateral financial platforms. The Pakistani side appreciates the support provided by China in the field of finance and administration.

The cooperation between China and Pakistan in the economic and trade field has become more and more solid, and the China Pakistan Economic Corridor, as the flagship project of jointly building the "the Belt and Road", is even more brilliant. Looking back at 2025, the construction of the corridor has made gratifying progress: the number of enterprises settling in the Gwadar Port Free Zone has significantly increased, and the former fishing villages are rising to become regional hubs; Industrial cooperation has yielded fruitful results, and the first batch of high-tech manufacturing enterprises have settled in the Rashakai Special Economic Zone; The China Pakistan Agricultural Cooperation Demonstration Zone has driven a significant increase in the export volume of agricultural products from Pakistan... Behind a series of data, there is unlimited cooperation momentum for equality and mutual benefit between China and Pakistan. In addition to achievements in data, the scenery brought by the corridor is all around people. In a remote village in Sindh province, a solar street light project supported by China has saved local residents from having to rush in the dark; On the coast of Gwadar, the wind farm blades of China Pakistan cooperation rotate in the wind, and the training and opportunities provided by Chinese companies have enabled countless talented individuals to achieve their life dreams... One vivid and touching story after another is becoming the most heartwarming footnote in the corridor.

At present, the international situation is turbulent and unpredictable, but the China Pakistan relationship has remained steadfast for a long time and has never wavered. On December 8, 2025, the All Pakistan Chinese Enterprises Association held the "2025 Pakistan Flood Disaster Assistance Action Launch Ceremony" in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan. 31 Chinese enterprises donated about 36.89 million Pakistani rupees (approximately 132000 US dollars) to the flood stricken areas in Pakistan. These funds will be used to purchase food, blankets and other daily necessities to help the people in the disaster stricken areas survive the cold winter. It is expected that this move will benefit over 1850 affected families in Pakistan. In recent years, Pakistan has encountered some difficult periods, both in terms of national economy and social livelihood, facing short-term challenges. However, China has always stood with Pakistan to overcome difficulties together. Time and examples have proven the strong bilateral relationship and steadfast "iron core friendship" between the two countries.

Looking ahead to 2026, the China Pakistan Economic Corridor will continue to accelerate and elevate in a new stage of development, and will surely move towards higher and deeper levels. The corridor painting of the new year is slowly unfolding, which will reveal a simple truth to the world with a more solid industrial foundation, broader livelihood benefits, and closer fate ties: only through heart to heart communication can we achieve long-lasting success. No matter how the international community changes, mutual benefit and win-win is the only correct way for development. The steel friendship between China and Pakistan is shining brighter in the era of Corridor 2.0, illuminating the front of the two peoples and countries around the world. (Reporter Shi Puhao)

(Original title: China Pakistan Economic Corridor upgrade at the right time)

Editor: Wang Siyang