Chinese minister arrives in Islamabad to co-chair JCM meeting

Liu Jianchao, Minister of the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (IDCPC), arrived in Islamabad for a three-day visit, according to a statement issued by the Foreign Office on Thursday.

He was welcomed at Islamabad International Airport by Additional Foreign Secretary (Asia & Pacific), Ambassador Imran Ahmed Siddiqui.

During his visit, Minister Liu Jianchao will meet with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and engage in extensive bilateral talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar. Additionally, Deputy Prime Minister Dar and Minister Liu will co-chair the third meeting of the Pakistan-China Joint Consultative Mechanism (JCM) of the political parties on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

The JCM, established in 2019, is a regular consultation mechanism between the Communist Party of China and the political parties of Pakistan. Previous meetings were held on March 19, 2019, in Beijing, and on August 20, 2020, virtually.

At this third meeting, Pakistan and China will review the progress of CPEC projects, assess CPEC’s contribution to Pakistan’s socio-economic development, and discuss its upgradation and extension for regional connectivity.

This visit is part of high-level exchanges between Pakistan and China, including between the Communist Party of China and the political parties of Pakistan. It underscores the importance both countries place on deepening their “All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership,” reaffirming mutual support on core issues, advancing high-quality CPEC development, and enhancing communication and dialogue on significant regional and global developments.