President Asif Ali Zardari has underscored the importance of broadening Pakistan-China cooperation in education, agriculture, renewable energy, and connectivity, describing the bilateral relationship as an “all-weather strategic cooperative partnership” and “joined at the hip.”
In an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN) recorded in Urumqi during his recent visit, the president praised China’s rapid development, its role as a leading power in the East, and President Xi Jinping’s Global Governance Initiative, which he said promotes mutual respect for sovereignty.
“Global governance means I can’t walk into any other country, and no other country can walk into me. Respecting each other’s territory is essential,” he said.
Zardari, who was on his 17th trip to China that also included stops in Chengdu and Shanghai, expressed appreciation for the hospitality he and his delegation received, adding, “Any part of China I go, I feel loved. The Chinese love keeps bringing me back.”
Turning to economic cooperation, he stressed the need to replace “a martial mindset” with “an economic mindset.” He pointed to an agreement with Beijing in space technology aimed at helping Pakistan achieve self-sufficiency in agriculture through higher per-acre yield and improved water management.
The president highlighted China’s expertise in solar, wind, and hydrogen energy, calling it the “fuel of tomorrow,” and urged stronger collaboration in these sectors. He also proposed a high-speed rail link between Karachi and Hyderabad, reducing travel time from 2.5 hours to just 20 minutes. Zardari suggested that the Sindh government could fund 60% of the project, while China could finance the remaining 40% through soft loans.
On education, he said Sindh was prepared to send nurses to China for training, providing land and facilities locally while Chinese experts could offer both in-person and remote instruction.
Discussing the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), he stressed the importance of making Balochistan safer to ensure regional connectivity. “Pakistan is the closest port to China, and our port development creates jobs, draws trade, and accelerates infrastructure growth,” he remarked.
Reiterating Pakistan’s diplomatic stance, Zardari said, “Wherever I go in the world, my first position is – respect China. Give it what it deserves, the respect of the world, for its people, its technology, for everything.”
He concluded by noting the importance of enhanced road connectivity, saying, “Chinese are always very willing to help us, and we are very willing to help China. I hope one day I can drive into China rather than take a plane.”
