Pakistan and China have moved to significantly deepen their strategic partnership, with a senior Chinese official pledging to align the next phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC 2.0) with Pakistan’s new national development vision, ‘Uraan Pakistan.’ The commitment emerged from a high-level meeting aimed at bolstering the nations’ “ironclad” friendship.

The discussions took place during a courtesy call by Pakistan’s Ambassador to China, Khalil Hashmi, on Liu Haixing, the newly appointed Minister of the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (IDCPC).

Ambassador Hashmi conveyed warm greetings from Pakistan’s leadership and people, emphasizing his country’s resolve to further enhance political-party exchanges, practical collaboration, and people-to-people connections.

Both dignitaries reviewed the strong momentum in bilateral relations, underscored by recent high-level engagements and ongoing advancements under CPEC 2.0. The talks covered expanding joint efforts in industrial collaboration, agriculture, digital technologies, and green development.

Looking ahead, the Ambassador highlighted the importance of strengthening institutional linkages and proposed several new ventures, including structured youth exchanges and promoting think-tank cooperation. Joint initiatives are also being planned to commemorate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2026. During the meeting, Ambassador Hashmi also delivered a congratulatory letter from Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister.

Minister Liu reciprocated the warm sentiments, appreciating Pakistan’s enduring friendship. He expressed his department’s readiness to fortify practical cooperation and align CPEC 2.0 with Pakistan’s 5E framework, which focuses on Exports, e-Pakistan, Environment, Energy and Infrastructure, and Equity and Empowerment.

The Minister reaffirmed that the IDCPC, the CPC’s main body for international political exchanges, would continue to serve as a bridge to bolster mutual trust and advance the broader objectives of the China-Pakistan all-weather partnership.

The two officials also explored expanding cooperation under China’s upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030), whose recommendations were recently adopted by the CPC Central Committee.