According to Pakistan’s Foreign Office, Zardari’s visit comes at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping. During his stay in Beijing, he will hold talks with President Xi, Premier Li Qiang, and other senior Chinese officials to strengthen bilateral relations.
“The discussions will cover a wide range of areas, focusing on economic and trade partnerships, counter-terrorism cooperation, security measures, and the future trajectory of the CPEC,” state-run Radio Pakistan quoted the Foreign Office as saying. Both sides will also exchange views on global and regional geopolitical developments, as well as cooperation in multilateral forums.
China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) at the Core of Discussions
A flagship project of China’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), CPEC aims to enhance connectivity by linking Pakistan’s Gwadar Port in Balochistan to China’s Xinjiang province. With an estimated investment of USD 60 billion, the initiative has been a cornerstone of China-Pakistan relations.However, security concerns remain a pressing issue, as insurgent attacks have targeted Chinese personnel working on CPEC projects in Pakistan. Several Chinese workers have fallen victim to suicide bombings, particularly by Baloch separatist groups opposing China’s investments in Balochistan. In response, Pakistan has deployed a 12,000-strong paramilitary force to ensure the security of Chinese workers and projects.
China has urged Pakistan to close security gaps and take decisive measures to safeguard CPEC infrastructure and personnel.
Participation in Asian Winter Games
Apart from official meetings, President Zardari will attend the inaugural ceremony of the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin, Heilongjiang province, at the special invitation of the Chinese government, according to The Express Tribune.Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan highlighted that the visit reflects the deep-rooted commitment of both nations to strengthening their all-weather strategic cooperative partnership through high-level diplomatic exchanges.
A Critical Visit Amid Economic Challenges
Zardari’s visit comes at a crucial time for Pakistan as it seeks to revive its economic stability and expand regional connectivity through CPEC. Strengthening economic ties with China is seen as a vital step in overcoming Pakistan’s economic challenges and enhancing trade opportunities.This visit underscores the enduring strategic partnership between Islamabad and Beijing, reinforcing their long-standing collaboration in economic, security, and geopolitical spheres.
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