Wang Yi: The 21st century should be an era of accelerated development and revitalization of Asia, especially South Asia.

On August 21, 2025, local time, Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs, held a joint press conference with Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Dar in Islamabad after the sixth China-Pakistan Foreign Ministers' Strategic Dialogue. A reporter asked how China views the current situation in South Asia and the role of China-Pakistan cooperation, as Pakistan is the last stop of Minister Wang Yi's visit to the South Asian countries. Wang Yi expressed that South Asian countries have a long history, splendid civilization, large population, and great development potential. They are China's close neighbors and an important direction for China to build a community of shared destiny in its neighborhood. During this trip, he visited India, Afghanistan, and Pakistan successively and deeply felt the enormous potential and strong momentum of development in South Asia. The 21st century should be an era for Asia, especially South Asia, to accelerate development and revitalization. Wang Yi pointed out that although India, Afghanistan, and Pakistan have different national conditions, they all realize that development is the top priority for each country and the common denominator of the three countries as well as other countries in the region. A peaceful, stable, and prosperous South Asia is in the common interests of all parties and meets the expectations of the people of all countries. All three countries are willing to strengthen neighborly friendship with China, their largest neighbor, deepen exchanges and cooperation, and seek mutual benefit and win-win outcomes. Faced with the pressure of unilateral bullying, all three countries believe in upholding multilateralism, safeguarding their legitimate rights and interests, and promoting a world that is multipolar and inclusive and global economy that is beneficial to all. China will be a reliable partner for South Asian countries and a solid support.