https://arab.news/w698q
- Asif Ali Zardari to visit Chengdu, Shanghai and Uygur region from Sept. 12-21, says foreign office
- Pakistan signed investment, joint venture agreements with China worth $8.5 billion last week
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari will embark on a 10-day visit to China today, Friday, to hold discussions with the Chinese leadership on enhancing bilateral economic and trade cooperation, the foreign office said.
The visit will take place days after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s official trip to China last week, where Islamabad signed investment agreements and joint ventures worth $8.5 billion with Beijing.
Zardari's trip from Sept. 12-21 would include visits to Chengdu and Shanghai cities, and the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region where he will meet Chinese provincial leaders, the foreign office said.
“The discussions will encompass Pakistan-China bilateral relations, with a particular focus on economic and trade cooperation, CPEC and future connectivity initiatives,” the statement said.
Pakistan views China as an important investment partner and strategic ally, which has funneled billions of dollars into the country under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) energy and infrastructure project for over a decade.
The foreign office said Zardari’s visit would reaffirm both countries’ support over core interests, advance economic and trade ties and underscore their commitment to regional peace.
China is its largest trading partner, with bilateral trade topping $25 billion in recent years. Chinese firms have invested heavily in Pakistan in power, transport, infrastructure and telecoms projects under the multi-billion-dollar CPEC.