- The tour focuses on economic cooperation, corridor cooperation.
- Hunan official Hu Xusheng receives president in Changsha.
- Envoys from both nations, high officials present on arrival.
President Asif Ali Zardari landed in China just after midnight on Saturday and began an official visit centered on strengthening economic and trade ties with a focus on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
According to a statement from his office, he arrived in Changsha and was received by Hu Xusheng, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the Hunan Provincial People’s Congress.
“[The] Ambassadors of China to Pakistan and Pakistan to China were also present on the occasion,” the President’s Secretariat said.
Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider bid farewell to the President at Allama Iqbal International Airport, according to state broadcaster Pakistan Television Corporation.
The Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the president is scheduled to visit Hunan Province’s Changsha from April 25 to 27, followed by Hainan Province’s Sanya from April 28 to May 1.
“During the visit, the President will hold meetings with the provincial leadership to review the full spectrum of ties between Pakistan and China, with special focus on economic and trade cooperation as well as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC),” the statement added.
According to the FO, the visit is part of “the long-standing tradition of high-level exchanges between Pakistan and China and has special significance as both countries mark the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations this year”.
It further noted that the trip reflects the “deep commitment” of both sides to further strengthen the strategic cooperative partnership.
Last year, President Zardari traveled to China on a 10-day official visit where he met senior Chinese leaders to deepen bilateral ties, expand cross-sector cooperation and advance shared priorities.
Six MoUs were signed between the Sindh government and business partners covering agriculture, defence, energy, rail links and farmer education, with plans to scale these initiatives to other provinces.
