While the President of Pakistan visited Beijing on the invitation of his Chinese counterpart, President Xi Jinping, to attend the opening ceremony of the 9th Asian Winter Games, the state visit became an opportunity to assuage Chinese concerns regarding security in Pakistan, and assure China that Pakistan will remain committed to CPEC regardless of global geopolitical transformations

On the 4th of February, President Asif Ali Zardari led a Pakistani government delegation to Beijing, China. The delegation included Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Senator Saleem Mandviwala, Chief Minister Sindh Murad Ali Shah, Provincial Ministers Sharjeel Inam Memon and Nasir Hussain Shah, and Dr. Asim Hussain. This is President Zardari’s first official trip to any country since assuming the office for a second time on 10th March 2024. 

The President of Pakistan arrived in China on a five-day state visit to hold important talks with Chinese national leaders, as well as to attend the Asian Winter Games in Harbin on the special invitation of the government of the People’s Republic of China. During his visit, President Zardari was set to hold meetings with top Chinese political leaders to discuss trade, investment, regional security, and economic cooperation.

Global Political Landscape

President Zardari’s trip comes at a critical period where Pakistan desperately seeks strengthen regional connectivity through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and thus stabilize and revitalize its economy. The President’s visit to China is momentous as it further strengthens Pakistan-China relations with a specific focus on enhanced bilateral trade and commerce ties. Moreover, the visit is seen as strategically significant since it comes at a time when Donald Trump has been sworn in as US President for a second time, signifying that the current regime in Pakistan will never compromise on its ironclad friendship with China regardless of any Western pressures.

The high-level visit carries forward the momentum of exchanges between Pakistan and China, in reciprocation of visits from senior Chinese leadership including Chinese Premier Li Qiang to Pakistan in 2024. Both China and Pakistan remain deeply committed to strengthen their all-weather strategic cooperative partnership.

“The China-Pakistan All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership is a choice by history and by the people, and enjoys broad support from all walks of life in both countries. Having withstood the test of changing international circumstances, the enduring partnership and iron-clad friendship between China and Pakistan transcends geopolitical interests and is an important positive factor for regional peace, stability and development,” a China-Pakistan joint statement issued by the Foreign Office of Pakistan read.

Zardari arrives in Beijing

On the 4th of February, President Zardari and his delegation was received at Beijing’s Capital International Airport by China’s Finance Minister Lan Fo’an, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Beijing Khalil Hashmi, and Ambassador of China to Islamabad, Jiang Zaidong. 

On the 5th of February, President Zardari first met Zhao Leji, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, which is the top organ of China’s legislature. The two leaders underscored the enduring and all-weather China-Pakistan friendship, which has deepened over the decades. They also discussed the high-quality development aspect of CPEC 2.0, emphasizing the role of new corridors envisioned to promote cooperation in the sectors of science and technology with a focus on innovation and livelihoods, renewable energy, infrastructure, agriculture, and speeding up the establishment of Special Economic Zones (SEZs). Both Zardari and Zhao described CPEC as a shining example of people-centric development, with its focus on win-win cooperation, shared benefits and common prosperity.

Zhao Leji discussed with President Zardari the opportunities to strengthen institutional and legislative linkages between China and Pakistan, including through parliamentary exchanges and participation in the CPEC Political Parties Joint Consultative Mechanism, to further codify bilateral cooperation and alleviate any legal impediments to the success of CPEC 2.0. While several projects under CPEC have yet to take off because of financial constraints, both Chinese and Pakistani officials are optimistic because new agreements were signed during the visit, which enhanced economic collaboration and addressed regional security challenges as well.

Discussions between Security Ministers

While the President was discussing the overall strategic, economic and political impact of the Pak-China relationship with Zhao Leji, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi was engaged in a two-hour-long meeting with his Chinese counterpart Qian Jin. The two leaders discussed a plethora of important matters pertaining to bilateral security: improving intelligence sharing mechanisms between both countries, collaboration in securing borders through paramilitary forces, acquiring modern Chinese technology for Pakistan’s police and paramilitary forces, countering terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, other dimensions of security cooperation, and factors affecting regional peace, security and stability in Asia. 

Ministers Naqvi and Qian also agreed to enhance collaboration between the Beijing Police and Islamabad Police. The meeting also expressed satisfaction with the Joint Working Group meeting held in January. Minister Naqvi extended an invitation to his Chinese counterpart to visit Pakistan, and received assurances that China would help provide modern technology and equipment for Pakistani police. 

Meanwhile, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, Senior Minister Sharjeel Memon, and Provincial Minister Nasir Hussain Shah held meetings with various business and industrial figures in China to brief them on investment opportunities in Sindh.

Meeting President Xi at The Great Hall of the People

After meeting the Chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, President Zardari and the Pakistani delegation was ushered into the majestic Great Hall of the People, where Chinese President Xi Jinping rolled out the red carpet for Zardari in a grand welcoming ceremony that also included a guard of honor inspected by both heads of state. The national anthems of b\oth countries were also played. After the ceremony, both Presidents held delegation-level talks on important bilateral matters and international affairs. 

During the delegation-level meeting with President Xi, President Zardari emphasized that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would enhance regional connectivity, promote mutual benefits, and lead to shared prosperity. President Zardari also reiterated Pakistan’s support for China’s core interests, saying that “we are first allies of China, then allies of anybody else”. China also affirmed unwavering support to Pakistan’s core interests and policy positions, including on a peaceful resolution to the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the aspirations of the people of Kashmir. 

President Xi and President Zardari further discussed regional and international issues of mutual interest, and explored opportunities to further expand the China-Pakistan bilateral partnership. Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to its long-term strategic cooperation with China was highlighted during the discussions. President Zardari explained that the unique, time-tested, and special relationship between the two nations has no parallel anywhere else at any point in history. Furthermore, the Pakistani President affirmed that China’s remarkable development and prosperity were a testament to the vision of its leadership and the energy of its people, and a trajectory to be emulated by all developing nations.

President Zardari also praised China’s robust cooperation towards global development under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), referring to CPEC as a prime example of mutually beneficial cooperation under BRI. During the meeting, discussions also took place on CPEC 2.0, which reorients the original focus of CPEC to align it with China’s commitment to high-quality development. The meeting underscored the importance of strengthening public exchanges and cultural ties to build a more robust future for the Pakistan-China community of shared prosperity. Security of CPEC and Chinese nationals in Pakistan remained a key subject throughout the talks. 

In recent years, Pakistan and China have provided firm political support for each other, maintained close high-level exchanges, and advanced the construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) along with cooperation in various fields, setting a good example for relations between countries, Xi noted.

“China stands ready to work with Pakistan to advance their respective modernization drives, accelerate the building of an even closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era, bring more benefits to the two peoples, and make greater contributions to regional peace, stability and prosperity”, President Xi said. “Pakistan is willing to work closely with China to uphold multilateralism, safeguard free trade, and promote the common interests of the two countries and the vast number of developing countries”, Zardari added.

President Xi underscored that China has always viewed its relations with Pakistan as strategic in nature, and maintains a high degree of stability and continuity in its friendly policy toward Pakistan. “China will, as always, support Pakistan firmly in safeguarding its sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, in combating terrorism, and in following a development path suited to its national conditions,” President Xi affirmed.

Both sides agreed to align national development strategies and enhance the exchange of governance experience, strengthen interactions at all levels and across all authorities, and consolidate the political foundations of China-Pakistan relations.

“China welcomes Pakistan to become one of the first countries to benefit from China’s further deepening of reform comprehensively and expanding high-standard opening up”, Xi said, adding that “China is ready to deepen practical cooperation with Pakistan in various fields, work together to upgrade China-Pakistan Economic Corridor cooperation, and help Pakistan consolidate its development foundations and unleash its development potential”.

President Xi said that China hopes Pakistan will intensify the security measures for Chinese personnel, projects and institutions in Pakistan, and strengthen bilateral and multilateral counter-terrorism cooperation.

Noting that 2026 marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Pakistan, Xi called on the two sides to deepen exchange and cooperation on culture, education and the media, with the aim of continuing to pass on the China-Pakistan friendship from generation to generation.

“China appreciates Pakistan’s active support for the three global initiatives and participation in relevant cooperation, and stands ready to work with Pakistan to adhere to the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, resist unilateralism and hegemonic practices, strengthen multilateral coordination, and safeguard the common interests of developing countries,” President Xi said.

Reaffirming the Pak-China Alliance

Pakistan will stand steadfastly with China no matter how the situation changes, President Zardari asserted. He expressed Pakistan’s appreciation for the selfless assistance China has provided for Pakistan’s economic and social development. President Zardari said that Pakistan is willing to learn from China’s successful experience and promote the high-quality development of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and cooperation in various fields, so as to realize industrialization and modernization at a speed similar to the Chinese experience of reform and opening up.

President Zardari said that under the brilliant leadership of President Xi, China has ascended to a leadership role in international affairs, becoming an increasingly important force for global peace, stability and prosperity. On this occasion, President Zardari extended an invitation to President Xi Jinping to visit Pakistan once again, noting that the people and government of Pakistan highly value President Xi Jinping as a visionary leader and a close friend of Pakistan.

After the delegation-level meeting, a signing ceremony took place for memorandums of understanding (MoUs) in various sectors, including science and technology, media, energy, and socio-economic development, aimed at enhancing cooperation between the two countries. 

Later, Chinese President Xi Jinping hosted a dinner in honor of President Zardari and his delegation, and personally met the Pakistani delegation warmly and graciously. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also had a one-on-one meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Minister Naqvi addressed Chinese security concerns by elaborating on the new security protocols and mechanisms already instituted to protect Chinese citizens, projects and institutions in Pakistan. Both leaders vowed that neither hostile foreign actors, nor state-supported and non-state terrorist elements, will never be allowed to jeopardize the creation of a China-Pakistan community of shared destiny and common prosperity. 

President Zardari meets Premier Li Qiang

On the 6th of February, President Zardari met Li Qiang, Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China. Sharing his thoughts after his recent visit to Pakistan during the SCO Summit, Premier Li said that the ironclad China-Pakistan friendship has been renewed and deepened, as bilateral cooperation is expanding in scope and achieving more positive results. 

In reference to President Zardari’s meeting with President Xi and the signing of MoUs, Premier Li said that China stands ready to work with Pakistan to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, to maintain close high-level exchanges and continue to carry forward the traditional friendship. Li said China and Pakistan will continue to firmly support each other on issues concerning core interests and major concerns, and push forward the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership to build a China-Pakistan community of common prosperity with a shared future that is most beneficial to the two peoples.

Li noted that China is ready to forge greater synergy between the development strategies of China and Pakistan to jointly promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, to accelerate the construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and other corridors under CPEC 2.0, to energize the construction of major projects concerning roads, railways and ports in an orderly manner, and to deepen cooperation in terms of agriculture, mining, new energy information technology and artificial intelligence. Premier Li put special emphasis on expanding sub-national cooperation and people-to-people exchanges, so as to better promote the common development of both countries.

Zardari said that Pakistan and China have always supported and helped each other in the changing international situation, adding that mutual trust and friendship between the two countries have been passed down from generation to generation.

Premier Li promised that China is willing to further deepen security cooperation with Pakistan, and hoped that Pakistan would earnestly guarantee the safety of Chinese personnel, projects and institutions in Pakistan. “Pakistan will do its utmost to ensure the safety of Chinese personnel, projects and institutions in Pakistan”, President Zardari categorically assured Premier Li. 

Pakistan cherishes the bilateral friendship with China and is ready to join hands with China to further deepen exchanges and cooperation in trade, investment and other fields, and to achieve common prosperity, President Zardari said, adding that Pakistan welcomes more Chinese enterprises to invest and do business in Pakistan. 

Evaluating the Visit

President Zardari’s Beijing visit has reinforced mutual commitments on key economic and security issues, reaffirming Pakistan’s strong ties with its largest trade and investment partner, as well as its friendliest neighbor. The visit has been optimally utilized as an opportunity to share views and concerns with China, especially on security matters, after the two deadly terror attacks in 2024, at Bisham and Karachi, which specifically targeted Chinese engineers working on CPEC in Pakistan. Security remained a key focus for the Chinese authorities, and major concerns were allayed by the relevant minister. The Chinese leadership was also briefed on specific details regarding security enhancements and the way forward in a classified setting. 

President Zardari’s Beijing visit is an important step in restoring Chinese faith in Pakistan, especially after the duplicitous PTI government that promised to continue CPEC but stalled its progress through nefarious ways and means. The attendance of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also shows that this was not a PPP-only visit, and that the ruling coalition in Pakistan was fully represented in talks with the Chinese government leadership. 

Whether this visit is a success or not, that will be evaluated in due course through a number of factors; such as Chinese interest and increased investment in Pakistan, the speed with which Pakistan operationalizes SEZs and expands facilities such as Gwadar Port and Gwadar International Airport, the seriousness of Pakistan to overcome its energy crises by swiftly shifting to renewable energy production and consumption (including at the industrial, household, and vehicular/transport levels), and most importantly, whether Pakistani security forces will be able to successfully preempt and prevent any future security threats or terror attacks against Chinese personnel, facilities and institutions in Pakistan. If the Chinese do not feel safe in Pakistan, they will take their investment elsewhere; and this will be extremely embarrassing for an “all-weather strategic partner” like Pakistan. 

Attending the Ninth Asian Winter Games

On the 7th of February, President Zardari was in Harbin, China’s “Ice City”, with President Xi, Sultan of Brunei Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, Prime Minister of Thailand Paetongtarn Shinawatra, International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach, to attend the opening banquet of the Ninth Asian Winter Games. 

Despite subzero temperatures, President Zardari visited the opening banquet, and wished the participants all the best in their respective sporting events. 

Meanwhile, the President and his entourage were busy in meeting with Chinese industrialists, investors, entrepreneurs and infrastructure giants to discuss projects in Pakistan that would enhance the scope of CPEC according to the vision of CPEC 2.0 and bring more fruitful Chinese investment to Pakistan in the spirit of win-win cooperation and in the pursuit of the goal of shared prosperity for the people of Pakistan and China.