In a landmark meeting that underscored the enduring strategic partnership between Islamabad and Beijing, a high-level delegation of the Communist Party of China called on Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Prof. Ahsan Iqbal, at the Ministry of Planning today. The discussions marked a significant leap forward in bilateral ties, with both sides formally advancing the vision for CPEC 2.0—a phase defined not only by infrastructure and investment but by deeper institutional, political, and people-to-people linkages.

Prof. Ahsan Iqbal, widely regarded as the architect of Pakistan’s economic revival strategy, warmly received the Chinese delegates and reiterated the unbreakable fraternity between the two nations. "Pakistan and China are two countries with one shared heart," the Minister declared, emphasizing that the next chapter of this friendship would be driven by what he termed the Five Political Corridors. These corridors, he explained, are designed to forge comprehensive party-to-party and people-to-people bonds: Political Dialogue and Strategic Coordination; Development and Governance Learning; Youth, Innovation and Future Leadership; People to People and Cultural Connectivity; and Peace, Stability and Regional Cooperation.

The Chinese delegation, led by H.E. Liu Daxiu, lauded the Minister’s decades-long dedication to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), bestowing upon him the honorary title of “Mr. CPEC” . H.E. Liu Daxiu acknowledged Prof. Ahsan Iqbal’s pivotal role in navigating the project through various phases and expressed Beijing’s full commitment to strengthening the political and institutional scaffolding that will support CPEC’s second phase.

Central to the dialogue was the roadmap for CPEC 2.0, which both parties agreed would serve as a stronger political and institutional foundation for cooperation. Moving beyond the traditional focus on roads and power plants, the new phase will prioritize long-term planning, poverty reduction, party-building, youth leadership exchanges, enhanced people-to-people connectivity, productivity enhancement, job creation, and sustainable livelihoods.

In a significant strategic alignment, the meeting highlighted the deep synergy between Pakistan’s indigenous economic vision—URAAN Pakistan 5Es (Export, Energy, E-Pakistan, Environment, and Equity)—and China’s forthcoming 15th Five-Year Plan. This convergence is expected to unlock new avenues for joint ventures, technological transfers, and policy coordination, ensuring that both nations march in lockstep toward shared prosperity.

The atmosphere was further enriched by an exchange of tokens of goodwill, reflecting the warmth and mutual respect that characterize the Pakistan-China friendship. The talks concluded with a shared resolve that CPEC 2.0 is fundamentally about connecting people and carrying the legacy of friendship forward for future generations.

The meeting was attended by senior officials from both sides and is being hailed as a cornerstone event that will shape the trajectory of Pakistan-China relations for the next decade.