President Asif Ali Zardari held high-level talks with senior leadership of Hainan to expand economic cooperation and strengthen bilateral relations with China.
He met Feng Fei, Party Secretary of Hainan, along with Governor Liu Xiaoming and Sanya Party Secretary Wang Qiyang. The discussions focused on trade expansion, investment opportunities, and people-to-people exchanges.
Focus on Economic Cooperation and Trade Expansion
Both sides emphasized deepening economic ties between Pakistan and Hainan. The President appreciated Hainan’s rapid transformation into a global trade and investment hub.
Moreover, he encouraged stronger engagement between Hainan enterprises and Pakistan’s industrial and export sectors.
As a result, both countries aim to unlock new opportunities in bilateral trade and investment.
Hainan’s Growth as a Global Trade Hub
Chinese officials highlighted Hainan’s development as a Free Trade Port. They noted that foreign investment and import volumes have increased significantly following new customs reforms.
In addition, trade between Pakistan and Hainan has nearly doubled in the first quarter of the year. This reflects growing economic momentum between both sides.
Key Sectors Identified for Cooperation
The President identified several priority sectors for collaboration. These include tropical agriculture, fisheries, port development, and seed technology.
Furthermore, he highlighted Hainan’s strengths in tourism and high-tech industries as areas of mutual interest.
Pakistan aims to leverage these sectors to improve exports and industrial capacity.
Strengthening People-to-People Exchanges
The President also stressed the importance of cultural and educational ties. He noted the participation of Pakistani athletes in the Asian Beach Games in Sanya as a positive step.
In addition, he welcomed the presence of more than 500 Pakistani students currently studying in Hainan.
These exchanges, he said, will further strengthen mutual understanding between the two nations.
Strategic Agricultural and Technological Cooperation
Chinese officials highlighted Hainan’s advanced agricultural research facilities, including its major seed breeding laboratories.
These institutions use biotechnology and artificial intelligence to improve crop production.
As a result, both sides see strong potential for cooperation in agricultural innovation and food security.
Reaffirming Long-Standing Partnership
President Zardari reaffirmed that Pakistan and China remain All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partners. He emphasized that the relationship remains central to Pakistan’s foreign policy.
He also noted the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, calling it an important milestone for future cooperation.
High-Level Participation
The meeting was attended by senior Pakistani and Chinese officials, including ambassadors and provincial ministers. Their presence reflected the strategic importance of the engagement.
After the talks, a banquet was hosted in honor of the President, marking the conclusion of the meeting.
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