China-Pak ties not 'directed at any third party': Beijing on Ishaq Dar-Wang Yi meeting

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Pakistan Mohammad Ishaq Dar had recently remarked that his nation Pakistan has agreed to deepen trade and investment with China.

Media reports then suggested that China and Pakistan discussed security cooperation in the context of the recent India-Pakistan tensions.

However, now, China seems to be distancing itself from such assertions. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said regarding a media query about the meeting, “China has released information on the meeting. You may refer to that. I don’t have more specific information to offer, but what I can tell you is that China and Pakistan are traditionally friendly neighbours, and bilateral cooperation across various fields is very close. As for the current situation you’re concerned about, I can assure you that China-Pakistan cooperation is not directed at any third party."

China takes middle ground

China on Tuesday (May 20) had said it supports efforts by India and Pakistan to resolve their differences through dialogue and welcomed the ceasefire agreement reached earlier this month following the worst fighting between the two nuclear-armed neighbours in over two decades decades.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi made the remarks during a meeting with Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar in Beijing, according to a statement from China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Wang said China supports both countries in pursuing “a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire” and urged continued communication to maintain regional stability.

More from World

Pakistan: Facing global flak, Ishaq Dar blames earlier govt for terrorism China-Pak economic corridor to extend to Afghanistan: Why this is a new headache for India

The statement comes after India and Pakistan agreed to halt hostilities on May 10, following an escalation triggered by a deadly terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir region and retaliatory strikes by the Indian Army under Operation Sindoor.

China’s balancing act 

China’s statement is seen as part of its broader diplomatic balancing act. Although a close ally of Pakistan and a major investor in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Beijing is trying to rebuild substantial trade and diplomatic ties with India.

That effort comes amid turbulent ties it has with US, especially since the new Trump administration imposed heavy tariffs on imports from China.

With inputs from agencies