Pak-China will be all weather friends, assures Zardari

BEIJING – Pak-China will be all weather friends, assures Zardari during a meeting with President Xi Jinping.

Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari assured China on Wednesday that militant attacks would not disrupt Pakistan’s enduring friendship with its strategic ally. As the two nations advanced to the next phase of the multibillion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Zardari reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to maintaining strong ties with China.

During a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People, both leaders addressed security challenges and explored avenues for economic cooperation.

The discussion took place amid growing security concerns in Beijing regarding the safety of Chinese workers engaged in CPEC projects in Pakistan, some of whom have been targeted in recent attacks.

While acknowledging past fluctuations in Pakistan-China relations, Zardari reaffirmed Pakistan’s steadfast commitment to the partnership.

“Pakistan and China will always be all-weather friends,” he stated. “No matter the challenges, whether terrorism or global uncertainties, I and the people of Pakistan will always stand with China.”

The leaders also deliberated on the second phase of CPEC, known as CPEC 2.0, which aims to diversify beyond transport and energy projects to include industrialization, agricultural modernization, and broader regional collaborations. This expansion aligns with China’s overarching Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Initially launched in 2013, the first phase of CPEC prioritized transport and energy infrastructure, including the development of Gwadar Port. In its next stage, the focus will shift towards economic growth by enhancing regional connectivity and fostering partnerships with third countries.