ISLAMABAD:
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged Pakistan to step up mediation efforts and contribute to the proper handling of issues related to the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, China’s state-run Xinhua news agency reported on Wednesday.
Wang made the remarks during a telephone conversation with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar a day earlier.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, appreciated Pakistan’s constructive diplomatic engagement in facilitating contacts between Iran and the United States, noting that such efforts had helped extend a temporary ceasefire and ease regional tensions.
He expressed hope that Pakistan would maintain confidence and continue to contribute to restoring regional peace at an early stage, which he said is also the common desire of the international community.
Dar briefed Wang on Pakistan’s recent mediation efforts to facilitate Iran-US talks, and thanked China for its support for Pakistan’s efforts to promote dialogue. He expressed hope to strengthen coordination with China to jointly play a positive role in maintaining regional peace and stability.
Wang reiterated China’s principled position, praising Pakistan for facilitating contacts between the US and Iran, and said Beijing would continue to support Pakistan’s mediation efforts and make its own contribution to this end.
The two sides also discussed broader regional developments and stressed the importance of ensuring stability and uninterrupted maritime passage through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy artery.
The leaders reviewed preparations for the upcoming 75th anniversary of China-Pakistan diplomatic relations and agreed to deepen strategic communication, strengthen high-level exchanges and promote the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership.
Both sides reiterated their commitment to closer coordination in multilateral forums, including the United Nations, and to jointly uphold multilateralism amid global turbulence.
The contact between Wang and Dar came ahead of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s upcoming visit to Beijing.
In a separate engagement on Wednesday, Foreign Minister Dar held a telephone conversation with Kuwait’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Kuwaiti foreign minister appreciated the peace efforts undertaken by Pakistan’s political and military leadership, including the prime minister and the field marshal, to promote dialogue and engagement between the US and Iran, and praised Islamabad’s constructive role in promoting regional peace and stability.
Both ministers discussed the wider implications of the situation around the Strait of Hormuz on the global economy and stressed the importance of a peaceful and durable solution to the ongoing regional tensions.
Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to support all diplomatic efforts aimed at maintaining peace and stability in the region and beyond, and expressed Pakistan’s desire to continue close coordination with friendly countries, including Kuwait, on regional development.
