Islamabad/Beijing: President Asif Ali Zardari met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Wednesday, reaffirming the long-standing strategic partnership between Pakistan and China and charting the course for the expansion of CPEC under its second phase.
Held at the Great Hall of the People, the meeting focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation, regional connectivity, and shared prosperity through CPEC. Both leaders emphasized the importance of high-level exchanges, people-to-people linkages, and cultural collaborations to further strengthen the China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future in the New Era.
President Zardari reiterated Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to its “all-weather strategic cooperative partnership” with China, commending the country’s rapid development under President Xi’s leadership. He described CPEC as a shining model of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and invited President Xi to visit Pakistan, highlighting the deep admiration Pakistan holds for him as a visionary leader.
Following the meeting, both sides witnessed the signing of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) in key areas such as science and technology, media, clean energy, and socio-economic development. President Xi later hosted a state banquet in honor of President Zardari and his delegation.
Enhanced Security Cooperation
In a parallel development, Pakistan and China agreed to deepen intelligence sharing and security cooperation to strengthen border security and counterterrorism efforts. Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met Chinese Minister of Public Security Qi Yanjun in Beijing, where both sides discussed modernizing Pakistan’s law enforcement with Chinese technology and advanced equipment.
The meeting also explored increasing collaboration between Beijing Police and Islamabad Police, alongside expanding cooperation with Pakistan’s National Police Academy. Mr. Naqvi reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to acquiring modern policing technology from China and extended an invitation to his Chinese counterpart to visit Pakistan.
Story by Syed Irfan Raza | Iftikhar A. Khan
