President Asif Ali Zardari has reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to working with China and other nations to deepen cultural exchanges, strengthen creative industries, and promote understanding and tolerance.
Zardari arrived in Chengdu on Friday to begin a 10-day visit to China at the invitation of the Chinese government. On the first day, he attended the Second Golden Panda Awards and held talks with senior members of the Communist Party of China (CPC).
Addressing the International Culture Forum, the president said culture remained a “vital bridge to peace, prosperity, and a shared future for humanity.”
He expressed Pakistan’s full support for China’s vision of “civilisation exchange and mutual learning,” and highlighted the significance of the Global Development Initiative (GDI), the Global Security Initiative (GSI), and the Global Governance Initiative (GGI), stressing their focus on sustainable development, regional stability, and inclusive international cooperation.
Zardari noted that the world was undergoing dramatic changes, praising President Xi Jinping for offering “a path of cooperation and win-win solutions instead of confrontation.” He congratulated the award winners, describing their creativity as an artistic endeavour that “transcends borders and unites people through shared human values.”
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He also thanked the Government of Sichuan Province, the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles, and the organisers of the forum for their hospitality.
During a meeting with Li Shulei, Member of the Political Bureau and Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of the Publicity Department, Zardari underlined Pakistan’s commitment to expanding people-to-people contacts and public diplomacy.
Li said both he and President Xi highly valued Zardari’s role in strengthening the Pakistan-China partnership, calling the two countries “iron-clad brothers.” He added: “The world needs and deserves the fragrance of books rather than the smell of gunpowder.”
As Pakistan and China prepare to celebrate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties next year, Li said the partnership stood as a testament to the enduring bonds between their peoples.
Besides Chengdu, Zardari will visit Shanghai and Xinjiang during his stay from September 12 to 21, where he will meet provincial leaders. According to the president’s office, the visit will include discussions on economic and trade cooperation, progress on CPEC, multilateral engagement, and reaffirming mutual support on issues of core interest, while underscoring joint commitment to regional peace, development, and stability.
In August, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited China to attend the SCO Council of Heads of State (CHS) summit, held from August 31 to September 1.
During the visit, Pakistan and China signed multiple Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and joint ventures worth $8.5 billion to deepen business-to-business collaboration in agriculture, industry, health, trade, mining and minerals.
Addressing the signing ceremony in Beijing, Shehbaz described the agreements as the “long march of economic development” between the two nations. “This long march will commence from Beijing and conclude in Islamabad,” he said.
The premier emphasised that the initiative aims to transform Pakistan into a thriving economy by attracting billions in investment, creating millions of jobs and strengthening the country’s financial foundations. “We are resolved to work tirelessly until this long march of economic development reaches its destination,” he said.
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Shehbaz also expressed gratitude to the Chinese leadership and people for their support to Pakistan’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and socio-economic development. He congratulated China on hosting the SCO summit in Tianjin and extended felicitations on the 80th anniversary of the victory in the War of Resistance and the World Anti-Fascist War.
The prime minister also met Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, in a meeting viewed as significant against the backdrop of ongoing geostrategic developments. Pakistan’s ties with the United States have shifted in recent months, while Washington’s relations with New Delhi have deteriorated.
During the talks, both sides reaffirmed their “ironclad partnership” and vowed to deepen cooperation. Shehbaz added that no one could shake the strong bond between Pakistan and China.
