Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will undertake an official visit to Beijing from May 19 to 22 to hold in-depth discussions with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the evolving regional situation in South Asia and its implications for peace and stability, a statement from the Foreign Office said on Sunday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The visit comes as tensions remain high in the region following last week\u2019s ceasefire between Pakistan and India after a tense military standoff over the Pahalgam attack<\/a> in Occupied Kashmir \u2014 which India blamed on Pakistan without evidence. On May 6\u20137, Indian air strikes in Punjab and Azad Kashmir killed civilians, prompting Islamabad to shoot down five Indian jets.<\/a> After drone interceptions<\/a> and airbase strikes, US intervention<\/a> on May 10 led to a ceasefire. India has maintained its aggressive stance, while Pakistan has warned against further escalation and offered dialogue<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n China had also reaffirmed<\/a> its support for Pakistan amid escalation with India in a meeting with President Asif Ali Zardari on May 5.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n According to today\u2019s statement, FM Dar will travel to China tomorrow (Monday) at the invitation of the Chinese FM Yi and will hold in-depth discussions there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe pair will discuss the evolving regional situation in South Asia and its implications for peace and stability,\u201d the FO said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe two sides will also review the entire spectrum of Pakistan-China bilateral relations and exchange views on regional and global developments of mutual interest.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n It added that the visit was part of the ongoing high-level exchanges between Pakistan and China.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pakistan has held strong bilateral relations with China which has supported it through many investments and development projects such as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor<\/a> (CPEC), which was termed as a \u201clifeline<\/a>\u201d for the country\u2019s economy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In March, China extended<\/a> the repayment period of a $2 billion loan<\/a> to Pakistan by one year, offering much-needed financial relief and helping stabilise the country\u2019s foreign exchange reserves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n