Zardari Highlights Pakistan China Ties
President Zardari Highlights Strong Pakistan-China Ties During Visit to China
During his recent visit to China, President Asif Ali Zardari emphasized the longstanding friendship and strategic partnership between Pakistan and China, describing his trips as gestures of goodwill and solidarity.
Speaking to China Global Television Network, President Zardari noted that his visits aimed to show Pakistan’s support for China in both prosperous and challenging times. “Any part of China I go to, I feel loved. And there’s nothing to conquer one’s heart rather than love. So, the Chinese love keeps bringing me back and forth,” he said, reflecting on his 17th visit to the country, which included stops in Chengdu, Shanghai, and Urumqi.
He praised China’s leadership role in the East and specifically lauded President Xi Jinping’s Global Governance Initiative, which advocates respect for national sovereignty. “Global governance means I can’t walk into any other country. No other country can walk into me. They have to be respectful about my territory. I should be respectful about their territory,” he explained.
Highlighting the importance of economic cooperation over military posturing, the president said, “We don’t need a martial mindset. We need an economic mindset.” He also pointed to the ongoing collaboration in space technology, which aims to enhance agricultural self-sufficiency through improved per-acre yields and better water management.
President Zardari described Pakistan and China as “joined at the hip,” noting not only strategic ties but also growing people-to-people connections. He suggested that both countries, sharing close geographic proximity, can leverage their locations for mutual economic benefit.
The president reiterated Pakistan’s consistent support for China on the global stage, stating, “Wherever I go in the world, my first position is that – respect China. Give it what it deserves, the respect of the world, for its people, for its technology, for everything.”
On the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), he highlighted Pakistan’s strategic position as the nearest port to China, stressing its potential to generate employment, boost regional development, and attract trade and infrastructure investment. “So there is great importance for me to make sure that Balochistan is safer… We can drive down to you, and you can drive down to us. So, it’s a great futuristic concept,” he added.
President Zardari also pointed to collaboration in renewable energy, particularly solar, wind, and hydrogen, citing China’s expertise as key to future bilateral projects. Drawing from his experience riding China’s high-speed trains, he proposed a similar initiative in Pakistan connecting Karachi and Hyderabad, cutting travel time from 2.5 hours to just 20 minutes. The project would be funded 60% by the Sindh government, with China providing 40% through soft loans and operational support.
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