By The South Asia Times

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan and China have discussed regional developments and stressed the importance of dialogue and diplomacy for lasting peace and stability, following Pakistan's participation in a multilateral diplomatic meeting in Istanbul focused on escalating regional conflicts.

Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong called on Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar in Islamabad, where the two sides reviewed bilateral cooperation and exchanged views on regional developments, Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said on Sunday.

Dar welcomed continued progress in the two countries' longstanding strategic partnership, highlighting cooperation under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), connectivity, trade, investment, agricultural modernisation and people-to-people exchanges.

He also emphasised the importance of sustained high-level exchanges to advance the Pakistan-China Community of Shared Future in the New Era, according to the ministry's statement.

The meeting provided an opportunity for both sides to discuss regional developments and reaffirm their commitment to dialogue and diplomacy as essential tools for achieving sustainable peace and stability.

- Meeting follows Istanbul diplomatic talks

The meeting took place after Dar returned from Istanbul, Türkiye, where he participated in a gathering of foreign ministers from the R4 group -- Pakistan, Türkiye, Egypt and Saudi Arabia -- and the E4 group, comprising France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom.

The October 23 meeting addressed several pressing regional and international issues, including the military conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia and Yemen, and security concerns surrounding strategic maritime routes.

The ministers called for de-escalation and negotiated solutions to regional conflicts, while emphasising the importance of protecting freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the Black Sea.

The R4 countries separately condemned Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia and commercial shipping in the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb, calling for an end to military actions and a return to the political process in Yemen.

The four countries also reiterated their support for a negotiated two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and called for humanitarian assistance to reach Gaza without interruption.

- Strategic partnership remains central

Pakistan and China maintain close political, economic and security ties, with CPEC serving as a central component of their bilateral economic cooperation.

The corridor, launched under China's Belt and Road Initiative, aims to strengthen connectivity and economic links through infrastructure, energy and development projects in Pakistan.

Islamabad has consistently described its partnership with Beijing as a cornerstone of its foreign policy, while both countries have pledged to deepen cooperation in trade, investment, agriculture and regional connectivity.