Pakistan, China call for more ‘verifiable’ actions against terrorist groups based in Afghanistan

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Mohammad Ishaq Dar, is visiting China at the invitation of Member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and Foreign Minister of the People’s Republic of China, Wang Yi, from Jan. 3 to 5. 

“On January 4, 2026, Yi and Dar co-chaired the Seventh Round of China-Pakistan Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue in Beijing”, the communiqué said.

The Afghan issue 

Pakistan and China, “agreed to keep in close communication and coordination on the Afghan issue, work with the international community to encourage the Afghan government to build an inclusive political framework, adopt moderate policies, focus on development, pursue good-neighborliness, and play a constructive role in helping Afghanistan achieve stable development and integrate into the international community.” 

The two countries “called for more visible and verifiable actions to dismantle and eliminate all terrorist organizations based in Afghanistan, which continue to pose serious threats to regional and global security, and prevent terrorist organizations from using the Afghan territory for terrorism against any other country and to endanger any other country.”

Strategic communication

 The communiqué said, “During the dialogue, the two sides agreed to enhance strategic communication, deepen strategic mutual trust, jointly safeguard their common interests, promote the economic and social development of the two countries, and safeguard and advance peace, development, and prosperity of the region and beyond.”

All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partners

“The two sides reiterated that China and Pakistan are All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partners enjoying ironclad friendship and strategic mutual trust,” the communiqué added. 

It further said, “The two sides will act on the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, implement the Action Plan to Foster an Even Closer China-Pakistan Community with a Shared Future in the New Era (2025-2029) signed by the two governments, and keep the building of the China-Pakistan community with a shared future at the forefront of the building of a community with a shared future with neighboring countries.”

According to the communiqué, Pakistan “congratulated China on the successful conclusion of the 14th Five-Year Plan and the upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan.” 

“China congratulated Pakistani leaders on leading the country to achieve macroeconomic stability and to lay a solid foundation for national economic growth centered on Pakistan’s National Economic Transformation Plan (2024-2029) (URAAN Pakistan) and for its people to share the fruits of development and prosperity.” 

One-China principle 

“Pakistan reaffirmed its firm commitment to the one-China principle, and reiterated that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory. Pakistan firmly supports China on issues concerning Xinjiang, Xizang, Hong Kong and the South China Sea,” the communiqué said. 

Meanwhile, it said “China reiterated its steadfast support for Pakistan in safeguarding its sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.”

According to the communiqué, “China commended the comprehensive measures taken by Pakistan to combat terrorism and protect the safety of Chinese personnel, projects and institutions in Pakistan.” 

It said, “China fully recognized the significant contributions and huge sacrifices that Pakistan made in combating terrorism over the years.”

“The two sides reiterated their commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations with zero tolerance, and agreed to further deepen all-round cooperation on counter-terrorism and security, and make concerted efforts to ensure that the China-Pakistan Belt and Road cooperation advances in a secure and smooth manner.”

“Calling on the international community to strengthen counter-terrorism cooperation, the two sides expressed their firm opposition to double standards on counter-terrorism,” the communiqué said.

On CPEC

On CPEC, it said: “The two sides agreed to further align their development plans and priorities, and build an upgraded version 2.0 of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which is a pioneering project of the Belt and Road Initiative.” 

According to the communiqué, “The two sides agreed to focus on the three key sectors of industry, agriculture, and mining, promote the building and operation of the Gwadar Port, ensure the smooth passage of the Karakoram Highway, and enhance Pakistan’s capacity for sustainable development.” 

“The two sides will take the year-round opening of the Khunjerab Pass as an opportunity to deepen two-way trade and people-to-people exchanges.” 

It added: “The two sides welcomed third-party participation in CPEC cooperation that conforms with the modalities set by China and Pakistan.”

“The two sides agreed to further strengthen cooperation in the financial and banking sectors,” the communiqué said.  

It added: “The two sides expressed satisfaction at their expanding space cooperation and for the expected early entrance of Pakistani astronauts into the China Space Station.” 

Jammu and Kashmir dispute 

According to the communiqué, “China reiterated that the Jammu and Kashmir dispute is left over from history, and should be properly and peacefully resolved in accordance with the UN Charter, relevant UN Security Council resolutions and bilateral agreements.” 

The two sides expressed readiness to conduct trans-boundary water resources cooperation in accordance with the principle of equality and mutual benefit, it added.

China and Pakistan “expressed readiness to continue leveraging the China-Afghanistan-Pakistan Trilateral Foreign Ministers’ Dialogue and the China-Bangladesh-Pakistan cooperation mechanism to deliver new outcomes.”

The two countries “reaffirmed their readiness to further enhance cooperation under the frameworks of the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative and the Global Governance Initiative.”

“China congratulated Pakistan on its outstanding performance during its UN Security Council presidency and expressed full support for Pakistan to work as the rotating president of the SCO from 2026 to 2027,” the communiqué said.

Gaza ceasefire 

Pakistan and China “called for an unconditional, comprehensive and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, and reaffirmed their support for the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination.”

“The two sides agreed to hold the next round of Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue in Islamabad next year on mutually convenient dates,” the communiqué said.