President Asif Ali Zardari engaged in a high-level bilateral meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Thursday, focusing on expanding trade and economic collaboration between Pakistan and China. The discussions, held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, centered on strengthening business-to-business (B2B) partnerships and enhancing private sector linkages to unlock new economic opportunities. The meeting took place as part of President Zardari’s five-day official visit to China, reflecting the deep strategic ties between the two nations.
During the discussions, President Zardari reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to its long-standing “All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership” with China. He acknowledged the vital role played by successive leaders in nurturing this relationship, which is built on mutual trust, shared interests, and unwavering support. Stressing the importance of further deepening bilateral ties, he underscored the enduring and multifaceted nature of Pakistan-China relations, which extend across economic, security, and cultural domains.
A key highlight of the meeting was the discussion on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship project of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) that has significantly contributed to regional connectivity and economic development. President Zardari reiterated Pakistan’s strong commitment to the successful execution of CPEC and expressed gratitude for China’s continued investment in Pakistan’s infrastructure and energy sectors. He emphasized that CPEC is a transformative initiative that not only strengthens economic ties between the two nations but also fosters regional prosperity.
The two leaders deliberated on the future trajectory of CPEC, particularly its second phase, known as CPEC 2.0. This phase is set to focus on high-quality development with a special emphasis on industrial cooperation, renewable energy, advanced science and technology, modern infrastructure, and sustainable agriculture. Both sides agreed that diversifying and upgrading CPEC would create new avenues for growth, innovation, and employment, benefiting the people of both countries.
Additionally, both Pakistan and China recognized the need to enhance cultural and people-to-people exchanges as a means to deepen their diplomatic relationship. They emphasized the importance of academic collaborations, tourism, educational scholarships, and cultural exchanges to strengthen the China-Pakistan “Community of Shared Future” in the New Era. These initiatives are expected to promote mutual understanding and long-term friendship between the citizens of both nations.
Earlier in his visit, President Zardari also held a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People. Their discussions focused on further consolidating the strategic partnership, expanding economic cooperation, and aligning policies for shared development. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening diplomatic, economic, and security ties, reinforcing the historically strong relationship between Pakistan and China.
