ISLAMABAD – President Asif Ali Zardari met Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang, who reaffirmed China’s commitment to supporting Pakistan’s territorial integrity, sovereignty, and prosperity.
According to media reports, President Zardari hosted a luncheon in honor of Prime Minister Li Qiang, who was in Pakistan to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit. Army Chief General Asim Munir also attended the luncheon.
During the meeting, President Zardari and Prime Minister Li Qiang expressed their determination to deepen strategic cooperation in key sectors such as economy, investment, and regional connectivity. Both leaders emphasized the need to accelerate the implementation of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects.
Prime Minister Li Qiang stated that China and Pakistan are “good brothers, neighbors, partners, and friends,” and under President Xi Jinping’s leadership, the strategic cooperation between the two countries will continue to strengthen. He acknowledged President Zardari’s contributions to enhancing China-Pakistan relations and highlighted the continuous support both nations have offered each other despite global challenges. He reiterated that China would continue to assist Pakistan in elevating their partnership to new heights.
Li Qiang also stressed the importance of expediting CPEC development projects and pledged China’s ongoing support for Chinese companies investing in Pakistan, expressing confidence that Pakistan-China relations will continue to grow stronger.
Additionally, the Chinese Prime Minister praised Pakistan’s unwavering support for China on core issues, including the “One China” policy, Taiwan, Tibet, Hong Kong, Xinjiang, and the South China Sea. He assured that China would continue to back Pakistan’s territorial integrity, sovereignty, and prosperity.
President Zardari, in turn, emphasized that friendship with China is a key pillar of Pakistan’s foreign policy. He highlighted the need to explore new avenues of cooperation between the two nations and noted that there is ample room to further expand bilateral ties.
The president also stressed the importance of enhancing connectivity through all-weather roads to strengthen trade and people-to-people ties. He urged Chinese companies to take advantage of opportunities in Pakistan, particularly through investment in the Pakistan Stock Exchange.
He also mentioned that the time has come to fully benefit from China’s economic growth via CPEC and Gwadar Port, announcing his plans to visit China in November.
Zardari expressed eagerness to reconnect with old friends and further strengthen ties.
During the meeting, President Zardari reflected on his previous visits to China during his tenure and emphasized that Pakistan has always enjoyed China’s unwavering support on issues of mutual importance.
The president offered his deepest condolences over the loss of two Chinese citizens in a terrorist attack and expressed the nation’s sorrow. He stated that the enemies of China-Pakistan friendship are targeting Chinese nationals to disrupt bilateral relations and CPEC projects but assured that such malicious efforts would not succeed.
He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to bringing the perpetrators to justice and enhancing the security of Chinese citizens working in the country.
Lastly, President Zardari thanked China for its support on the Kashmir dispute and reiterated Pakistan’s backing for China on all its core issues, including Tibet and the South China Sea.
