ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Saturday highlighted Pakistan’s full support for China’s vision of “civilisation exchange and mutual learning” and emphasised importance of expanding cooperation between the countries in political, economic and cultural fields, underlining Pakistan’s commitment to deepening people-to-people contacts and public diplomacy, a press release issued by the president’s secretariat today said.
In a post on X on Thursday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (FO) in a press release said that the president left for China yesterday to hold meetings with their provincial leadership, focusing on economic and trade cooperation.
“The two sides will also exchange views on bilateral cooperation at multilateral fora,” FO said, terming the tradition of high-level exchanges as a reflection of the deep commitment to strengthen their all-weather strategic cooperative partnership between them.
According to the press release, the president stressed upon the significance of the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Governance Initiative, noting their focus on sustainable development, regional stability, and more inclusive international cooperation.
“He underscored the importance of the GGI, which promotes respect for the diversity of civilisations, equality among cultures, people-to-people exchanges, and cultural dialogue as a counter to narratives of a ‘clash of civilisations’,” the press release said.
The president observed that the world is “undergoing dramatic changes, and praised China under President Xi (Jinping) for offering a path of cooperation and win-win solutions instead of confrontation,” adding that he was immensely impressed by how these initiatives served the “common values of humanity.”
'Living testimony of deep bonds'
President Zardari underlined that the enduring Pakistan-China friendship stood as a model of mutual respect and cooperation.
“As the two countries prepare to celebrate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties next year, he recalled that this partnership remains not only strategic but also a living testimony of the deep bonds of friendship between their peoples,” the press release said.
“He reaffirmed Pakistan’s readiness to work with China and other nations to expand cultural exchanges, strengthen creative industries, and promote understanding and a culture of tolerance. He said culture remains a vital bridge to peace, prosperity, and a shared future for humanity.”
Explored bilateral opportunities
According to the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP), the president held a meeting with member of the Political Bureau and Secretariat of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Minister of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee in Chengdu, Li Shulei, in which they explored opportunities to enhance bilateral cooperation across political, economic, and cultural spheres.
President Zardari thanked Li for hosting him in Sichuan and felicitated him and the organizers on the successful holding of the Second Golden Panda Awards International Culture Forum, President Secretariat Press Wing said in a press release according to APP.
Li Shulei said that President Xi Jinping had sent his best wishes and greetings to President Zardari and recalled their meeting during the President’s visit in February this year.
He also appreciated President Zardari’s recent article in China Daily, underlining the high regard in which Pakistan’s perspectives were held in China.
Li further observed that both he and President Xi highly valued the leadership shown by President Zardari in strengthening the Pakistan-China partnership.
“The world is changing, but China and Pakistan will remain iron-clad brothers. Today, the world needs and deserves the fragrance of books rather than the smell of gunpowder,” he said.
During his visit to China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit last month, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that Pak-China time-tested friendship was built by their elder generations through unwavering commitment, honesty and unbelievable sincerity.
He said that having faced the enormous challenges of history, the countries should work together “to find a shared destiny.”
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