BEIJING – Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has called on Pakistan to enhance security measures for Chinese nationals and infrastructure projects operating within the country, as he met with Pakistan’s army chief General Asim Munir during his visit to Beijing. This marks General Munir’s first official visit to China following Pakistan’s recent border tensions with India.
China has invested billions of dollars in Pakistan through the Belt and Road Initiative, funding large-scale infrastructure developments such as roads, ports, and energy projects. However, growing concerns over the safety of Chinese workers have emerged following a series of attacks, which Beijing has described as acts of terrorism.
“China supports Pakistan in resolutely combating all forms of terrorism and hopes that the Pakistani military will continue to make every effort to ensure the safety of Chinese personnel, projects, and institutions,” Wang Yi said during his meeting with General Munir on Thursday, according to a statement released by the Chinese foreign ministry.
Reaffirming the long-standing partnership between the two countries, Wang referred to China’s relationship with Pakistan as “ironclad” and pledged that Beijing would continue to give Pakistan a priority role in its regional diplomatic agenda.
General Munir also held talks with Zhang Youxia, Vice Chairman of China’s Central Military Commission, on Friday, Chinese state media outlet Xinhua reported. Security has remained a central topic in high-level discussions between the two nations, especially after an October car bombing in the southern Pakistani port city of Karachi killed two Chinese engineers.
In the wake of repeated attacks on its citizens, Beijing has urged Islamabad to permit Chinese security personnel to operate on the ground in Pakistan to ensure their protection, according to sources cited by Reuters.