President Asif Ali Zardari has arrived in Chengdu, China, to commence a 10-day official visit aimed at strengthening the longstanding ties between Pakistan and China.
Zardari was warmly welcomed at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport by Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong and Vice Governor of Sichuan Province Huang Ruixue. The arrival ceremony was attended by Pakistan’s Ambassador to China Khalil Hashmi and Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong.
According to a statement from the President’s Secretariat, the purpose of the visit is to hold high-level discussions with Chinese leadership, focusing on bilateral relations, economic cooperation, and key projects like the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Strengthening Bilateral Relations
During the 10-day trip, Zardari will visit several key cities, including Chengdu, Shanghai, and the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. The trip is expected to center on enhancing the All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership between the two countries, focusing on economic, trade, and infrastructure initiatives.
The President is scheduled to meet with senior Chinese officials, provincial leadership, and business leaders to discuss future cooperation in various sectors, with a special emphasis on CPEC and other connectivity projects that aim to bolster regional trade and development.
The Foreign Office highlighted that the visit reflects the enduring relationship between Pakistan and China and underscores the commitment of both nations to mutual support on issues of core interest. It also aims to further Pakistan-China economic relations, including advancing key infrastructure projects under CPEC.
Commitment to Regional Stability
A statement from Pakistan’s Foreign Office further noted that the visit is an important step in enhancing economic cooperation, especially regarding the progress of CPEC, and strengthening regional peace, development, and stability. The discussions will also highlight the two countries’ joint efforts to promote peace and security across the region, reflecting their shared values and goals.
