President Asif Ali Zardari has said that friendship with China is a cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy, and that the bond between them remains unshaken, despite attempts to undermine it.
He made these remarks during a meeting with China’s Prime Minister Li Qiang, who is in Islamabad to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit. The interaction took place at the presidency, where Asif Zardari hosted a state luncheon in honor of the Chinese delegation.
Talking to Li Qiang, President Asif Zardari stressed the need for deepening bilateral relations by enhancing economic cooperation and people-to-people contact. He hoped that Chinese companies would invest in the Pakistan Stock Exchange and other sectors, especially as China-Pakistan Economic Corridor continues to be a key driver of growth.
Prime Minister Li Qiang praised contributions of Asif Ali Zardari in promoting ties between the two countries and reaffirmed that China considers Pakistan a “good brother, neighbor, and partner”. Both leaders vowed to further strengthen strategic cooperation, with enhanced focus on investment, trade, and regional connectivity through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.
During the luncheon, Asif Zardari offered condolences for the tragic loss of two Chinese nationals in the Karachi attack. He said Pakistan remains resolute in tracking down perpetrators, and added that safety of Chinese nationals working in Pakistan was of paramount importance.
Prime Minister Li Qiang said that Pakistan-China friendship has withstood global challenges, and would only continue to strengthen. He said that the deep-rooted cooperation between the two countries, especially on the economic front, would grow even further under President Xi Jinping’s leadership.
Later in the day, Senate Chairman Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani met Prime Minister Li Qiang to discuss further expansion of Pakistan-China ties. He told the visiting dignitary that the two countries share a unique friendship that has been built on mutual trust and respect. He called the Silk Road a symbol of the deep-rooted ties between the two civilizations.
He praised the progress made through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and said that commendable growth had resulted from it in bilateral trade. Pakistan’s imports from China have reached $13.5 billion, while exports rose to $2.7 billion in the fiscal year 2024. He hoped for even closer economic ties in the days ahead.
National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq also had a meeting with Prime Minister Li Qiang, in which he expressed Pakistan’s pride in its longstanding friendship with China. He said the Shanghai Cooperation Organization platform provides Pakistan with an opportunity to project its positive image on the global stage.
He informed the visiting dignitary about Pakistan’s commitment to regional development and collaboration, mainly through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. The speaker noted that the corridor had strategic importance for both the countries, and its completion would mark the beginning of a new era of prosperity in the region.
Ayaz Sadiq and Li Qiang also discussed opportunities for joint projects in education and technology, as well as cooperation in the digital economy and energy sectors. The Chinese prime minister expressed his gratitude to the Pakistani government for its warm hospitality and extended best wishes for the successful hosting of the SCO summit.
He said that China was committed to supporting Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and added that friendship between the two countries would remain steadfast. Kyrgyz Cabinet of Ministers Chairman Akyibek Zhaparov Usenbekovich also called on President Asif Zardari on sidelines of SCO Summit.