Pakistani president seeks to bolster ‘full spectrum’ of ties with China on visit
Asif Ali Zardari’s visit also comes at a time when Islamabad is seeking to play a key role in ending the US-Israeli war on Iran
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Zardari arrived in China on Saturday. The Pakistani foreign ministry said he would be visiting Changsha in the central province of Hunan before heading to Sanya in the southern island province of Hainan on Tuesday, where he would stay until heading home on Friday.
“During the visit, the president will hold meetings with provincial leadership to review the full spectrum of Pakistan-China ties, with particular focus on economic and trade cooperation as well as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor,” the ministry said, referring to the flagship project of the Beijing-led multinational Belt and Road Initiative.AdvertisementThe Chinese foreign ministry echoed the sentiment. “Beijing will work with Islamabad to advance friendly cooperation across all levels and localities and to build a closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future,” ministry spokesman Lin Jian said on Monday.
He added that relations between the two countries had maintained a strong momentum, but did not confirm whether Zardari would meet senior members of the Chinese leadership.
AdvertisementPakistan has taken on the role of a mediator between the United States and Iran as their military conflict roils global energy supplies, hosting negotiations in Islamabad earlier this month while also staying in close contact with China over the issue.Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has already visited China twice this year, the second time in late March when the two countries unveiled a five-point peace plan aimed at ending the war.
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