ISLAMABAD: China and Pakistan will strengthen coordination on the Iran conflict, Beijing said on Tuesday, as Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar arrived in the Chinese capital to meet his counterpart Wang Yi.
Dar, who arrived in Beijing for a one-day visit on Chinese invitation, is expected to review bilateral ties and discuss regional and global developments, including efforts to de-escalate tensions involving Iran.
“The two foreign ministers will strengthen strategic communication and coordination on the Iran situation and ... make new efforts toward advocating for peace,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a press briefing, describing China and Pakistan as “all-weather” strategic partners.
Yi received the Pakistani foreign minister at the Diaoyutai Guest House in Beijing ahead of their meeting, the Pakistani foreign office said.
Both countries have sought to position themselves as facilitators amid the conflict, with Islamabad offering to host talks between Washington and Tehran as concerns mount over a wider regional escalation.
Dar’s visit comes days after he hosted high-level consultations in Islamabad with foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Egypt aimed at finding a diplomatic path forward following US and Israeli strikes on Iran.
Pakistan’s foreign office earlier said the Beijing visit would provide an opportunity for both sides to hold “in-depth discussions on regional developments, as well as bilateral and global issues of mutual interest.”
The conflict has raised alarm over disruptions to global energy supplies and shipping routes, particularly through the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a key artery for global oil trade.
China, a key partner of Iran, has repeatedly called for a ceasefire, while urging all sides to exercise restraint.
Pakistan and China share close defense, security and economic ties, with Beijing pledging over $65 billion in investments under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), part of its Belt and Road Initiative.
The two countries have also remained in close contact on broader regional issues, including tensions involving Afghanistan, where Beijing has previously engaged in mediation efforts.
