Pakistan, China and Afghanistan agree to expand the China-Pakistan economic corridor (CPEC) to Afghan territory, marking a significant step in trilateral cooperation under the belt and the road initiative.
The agreement came during an informal trilateral meeting held in Beijing on Wednesday between Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Afghanistan’s acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi.
Officials described the negotiations as constructive with discussions that focused on deepening diplomatic commitment, improving regional connection and promoting trade, infrastructure and development.
The three sides called their cooperation crucial to regional stability and agreed that economic integration was the key to joint progress. They also emphasized the importance of fighting terrorism and working collectively against peace and sustainable development.
During his bilateral meeting with Wang Yi, Deputy Prime Minister of Pakistan repeated the unwavering support of China’s core interests and thanked Beijing for his consistent support for Pakistan’s sovereignty and security.
Wang Yi described Pakistan as China’s “Iron Brother” and confirmed his country’s commitment to Pakistan’s development and regional stability. Both sides expressed satisfaction with the ongoing progress of CPEC and welcomed third -party participation in its second phase.
Ministers also discussed improving cooperation in agriculture, ICT, industry and investment. They promised to maintain coordination on regional and global forums and repeated their commitment to multilateralism.
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar called for a peaceful solution of the decisions of Jammu and Kashmir in accordance with the United Nations Security Council’s decisions that described it as important for long-term peace in South Asia.
