President Asif Ali Zardari’s nine-day visit to China, held from September 12 to 21, underscored the depth of Pakistan-China ties and reaffirmed the all-weather friendship between the two nations. Invited to the opening of the 2025 Golden Panda International Cultural Forum in Chengdu, the President later travelled across Sichuan, Shanghai, and Xinjiang, highlighting cultural, economic, and strategic cooperation.
In his address at the Golden Panda Forum, Zardari praised the role of art in connecting civilisations, aligning the event with President Xi Jinping’s Global Civilisation Initiative. He emphasised the shared commitment of both nations to people-to-people exchanges, cultural dialogue, and diversity of civilisations.
During his journey, Zardari visited local governments, engaged with Chinese citizens, and highlighted bilateral cooperation in science, technology, and innovation. He experienced China’s high-speed rail, lauded advancements in agriculture and energy, and supported expanding the China-Pakistan Corridor of Innovation.
In Shanghai, he witnessed agreements with Shanghai Electric Group and commended Chinese investments in Pakistan’s energy and financial sectors, including the Thar Coal Project and Pakistan Stock Exchange. Zardari also reflected on the Communist Party of China’s historic role, praising President Xi’s leadership in transforming China into a global economic power.
The final leg of his trip took him to Xinjiang, where he marked the region’s 70th anniversary, visited the Id Kah Mosque in Kashgar, met Pakistani students at Kashi University, and observed local economic and social progress. He expressed admiration for Xinjiang’s development and encouraged Pakistanis to explore the region, calling it an example of cultural unity and prosperity.
Ambassador Jiang Zaidong later reinforced that Zardari’s visit opened a fresh chapter in bilateral relations. He noted that both sides are committed to advancing the 2025–2029 Action Plan for a closer community of shared future, covering industry, agriculture, mining, and people-to-people connectivity.
Zardari’s second visit to China this year has not only added symbolic value but also generated practical outcomes, solidifying the “iron-clad friendship” that both nations proudly uphold.
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