ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORTER
President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari, returned to the country on Sunday following a significant and multi-city visit to China. During his stay, the President visited Chengdu, Shanghai, Ürümqi, and Kashgar, where he held high-level meetings with Chinese provincial leadership and discussed a wide range of topics including bilateral ties, regional peace, and the future of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
According to a statement released by the Presidency’s press wing, President Zardari engaged in detailed discussions on regional development, strategic cooperation, and strengthening bilateral relations between Pakistan and China. The visit also witnessed the signing of several key Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), which are expected to serve as milestones in enhancing cooperation between the two nations.
“President Zardari’s visit reaffirmed the commitment to the Pakistan-China strategic partnership,” the statement read.
At the conclusion of his visit, President Zardari was seen off at Kashgar’s Kashi Laining International Airport by Kashgar Party Secretary and Xinjiang Vice Governor Nie Zhuang. Ambassadors from both countries were also present at the departure ceremony.
President Zardari expressed his gratitude for the warm hospitality extended by the Chinese leadership, particularly under the vision of President Xi Jinping. He praised the impressive development in Xinjiang and emphasized that the transformation seen in the region is both admirable and inspirational.
“I hope that in the future, the people of Pakistan and China will be able to travel easily via land routes for tourism and trade,” President Zardari stated.
The visit comes at a time of growing emphasis on regional connectivity and economic integration, and serves to further deepen the all-weather friendship between Pakistan and China.
