ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – President Asif Ali Zardari has departed for Pakistan after completing a five-day official visit to China, marking a significant phase in ongoing diplomatic and economic engagement between the two countries.
The Pakistani head of state left from the southern Chinese city of Sanya, where he was seen off by senior officials including Wang Qiang, alongside Pakistan’s ambassador to China Khalil Hashmi and China’s ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong.
The visit, which included stops in Hunan and Hainan, centred on expanding cooperation in industrial development, agriculture and the maritime economy. Officials from both sides held extensive discussions aimed at strengthening bilateral partnerships in emerging and traditional sectors.
A major component of the visit revolved around advancing the next phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, often referred to as CPEC 2.0. Talks focused on boosting domestic industrial growth in Pakistan and enhancing collaboration in the blue economy, a sector that includes sustainable use of ocean resources for economic development. The discussions underscored the growing emphasis on diversifying cooperation beyond infrastructure into technology-driven and environmentally sustainable domains.
During his time in Changsha, several agreements were formalised between Pakistani and Chinese institutions. Three memoranda of understanding were signed to promote cooperation in seawater desalination, agricultural technology and the tea industry. These agreements are expected to facilitate knowledge exchange and technical collaboration, particularly in areas crucial to food security and water management.
Further agreements were concluded in Sanya, where the president oversaw the signing of two additional memoranda of understanding covering machinery, animal vaccines and medical technology. A joint investment agreement was also finalised, signalling intent to deepen private sector collaboration and encourage cross-border investments in high-value industries.
The visit also featured a series of high-level meetings with provincial leadership. President Zardari held detailed discussions with party officials in both Changsha and Sanya, focusing on region-specific opportunities for cooperation. These engagements highlighted the role of sub-national diplomacy in strengthening ties between Pakistan and China, particularly in sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing and marine development.
In a symbolic gesture, the president visited the hometown of Mao Zedong in Shaoshan, where he paid tribute to the late Chinese leader.
Another notable moment of the trip was President Zardari’s participation as chief guest at the commissioning ceremony of the Pakistan Navy’s first Hangor-class submarine in Sanya. The development represents a key milestone in defence cooperation between the two countries and underscores their deepening strategic alignment.
The visit took place against the backdrop of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China. Discussions throughout the trip focused on expanding collaboration across a wide range of sectors, reinforcing a partnership that continues to evolve in both scope and scale.