Zardari's China visit 'of great significance', says Chinese envoy

Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong has hailed President Asif Ali Zardari's visit to China as a pivotal moment in the enduring partnership between the two nations, saying it was of great significance in charting the future of all-weather strategic cooperation and steering bilateral relations amid unprecedented global changes.

In a statement, the ambassador shared an ambitious roadmap for deepening bilateral ties as the president visits the friendly country for a high-profile state visit from February 4 to February 8.

He noted that the visit, made at the invitation of President Xi Jinping, coincided with the 10th anniversary of President Xi's historic 2015 visit to Pakistan and the Chinese New Year celebrations, marking a pivotal moment for the nations' all-weather strategic cooperation.

"It is because President Xi Jinping and Pakistani leaders have positioned our ties as an all-weather strategic cooperative partnership that our relations have grown stronger amid global transformations."

The ambassador credited President Xi's vision for advancing the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which has evolved from a "1+4" layout into an upgraded phase, with bilateral leaders engaging in close communication to chart the future of the partnership.

Highlighting practical achievements, the ambassador cited several key developments over the past year. He pointed out that on December 1, the Khunjerab Pass was officially opened year-round – a milestone for cooperation in the new era.

He also mentioned the commencement of construction for Chashma Nuclear Power Plant Unit-5 on December 30, a project expected to generate 40,000 jobs, as well as the recent launch of domestic and international flights at Gwadar New International Airport.

In a humanitarian gesture, a team of Chinese experts recently travelled to Pakistan to perform life-saving operations on children.