Dar in Beijing
China Shields Pakistan’s Sindoor Shame
Beijing: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar landed in China today for a three-day visit, invited by the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) member and Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
This marks the first high-level Pakistani trip to Beijing since the Operation Sindoor skirmish escalated tensions with India, underscoring Pakistan’s pivot to its steadfast ally amid regional turmoil.
Upon his visit, Beijing emphasised it would continue to prioritise its relations with Islamabad and deepen linkages between the political parties of Pakistan and CPC.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning described the visit as a reflection of Pakistan’s “high importance” on its ties with China. She said Dar’s visit “reflects the high importance the Pakistani government attaches to the development of China-Pakistan relations”.
China stressed the aim of the invitation to Dar was to deepen the “all-weather strategic cooperative partnership” and build a closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future.
“China and Pakistan are all-weather strategic cooperative partners. The two countries maintain close high-level exchanges and cooperation in various areas. China stands ready to work with Pakistan through this visit to further deliver on the important common understandings between the leaders of the two countries, enhance strategic communication and coordination, and deepen exchange and cooperation in various areas, so as to advance the bilateral relations and accelerate the building of a closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era,” Ning said.
Dar arrived in Beijing on May 19, 2025, at 09:15 Coordinated Universal Time (2:45 PM IST) on May 19, 2025 and was d by Wang Yi. He will be there till May 21, 2025. The visit comes at a critical moment, with Pakistan navigating diplomatic and military fallout from its clash with India. Mao Ning, addressing queries at a press briefing, avoided linking Dar’s trip directly to the India-Pakistan tensions but reiterated China’s call for calm and restraint. She affirmed Beijing’s readiness to engage both nations to secure a lasting ceasefire and foster regional stability. When pressed on Indian claims that China provided Pakistan with air defence and satellite support during the recent conflict, Mao sidestepped specifics, emphasising China’s commitment to amicable relations with both neighbours and a vision of mutual benefit. “Both India and Pakistan are China’s important neighbours. China attaches high importance to its relations with both countries, and is committed to fostering an amicable, secure and prosperous neighbourhood, the principle of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness and the vision of a shared future in developing relations with all neighbouring countries,” she said. She claimed that since tensions started to rise between India and Pakistan, China has followed “an objective and just position”, urged the two countries to exercise calm and restraint, and avoid escalation. “We support and welcome the realisation of ceasefire between India and Pakistan and stand ready to continue to play a constructive role for securing a full and lasting ceasefire and upholding regional peace and stability,” she said.
Ning sidestepped a specific question about the message that China would convey to Pakistan during Dar’s visit, and whether Beijing was open to again sending the replenishment of weapons to Pakistan because there was in between a denial of any replenishment being sent by a Chinese plane to Pakistan.
“The two sides will exchange views on bilateral relations and issues of common interest,” she reiterated.
Dar’s discussions with Chinese officials are expected to cover bilateral ties, including the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, alongside security and economic cooperation. Yet, the shadow of Operation Sindoor looms large. Allegations of Chinese military support to Pakistan remain unaddressed directly, with Mao focusing on diplomacy over confrontation. China’s balancing act—supporting Pakistan while avoiding alienating India—will be tested as Dar’s visit unfolds, with the world watching how Beijing navigates its role in South Asia’s volatile landscape.
– global bihari bureau
