President Asif Ali Zardari, currently visiting Changsha in Hunan province of China, held a meeting with Mr Shen Xiaoming, Party Secretary of Hunan Province, and attended a banquet hosted in his honour by Governor of Hunan Province, Mr Mao Weiming.
The engagement focused on advancing practical cooperation in agriculture, health, education and trade, while reaffirming the enduring strength of Pakistan-China relations.
During the meeting, the President invited Mr Shen Xiaoming to visit Pakistan in connection with the 75th anniversary celebrations of diplomatic relations between the two countries. He underscored that Pakistan-China ties remain a cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy and continue to enjoy broad-based support. He also referred to his long-standing personal connection with China, recalling that his family, including his late father-in-law Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and his late wife Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, had always attached special importance to relations with China. He said this tradition is now being carried forward by the next generation, including his son, former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and First Lady Bibi Aseefa Bhutto Zardari.
The President emphasised Hunan’s strengths in agricultural technology and equipment, noting their relevance to Pakistan’s efforts to enhance productivity. He expressed interest in closer collaboration in seed technology, agricultural research and modern farming practices, and highlighted the potential for expanding bilateral trade in areas such as agricultural machinery, minerals processing, and information and communication technologies. Regional situation also came under discussion.
He informed the President that universities in Hunan have done 12 cooperation agreements with Pakistani institutions. He also mentioned that 959 Pakistani students are currently studying in Hunan across various disciplines, contributing to stronger people-to-people links.
Expressing his views at the banquet, the Governor of Hunan, Mr Mao Weiming, described Pakistan and China as good friends, good neighbours, good partners and good brothers. He stated that Hunan province would continue to contribute sincerely to the development of CPEC 2.0.
In his remarks, President Zardari said that Hunan holds a special place as the birthplace of Chairman Mao Zedong, whose legacy continues to resonate. He observed that the idea that power rests with the people remains deeply admired by the Pakistanis. Reflecting on his personal connection with China, he noted that he first visited the country in 1989 and that his affinity for China has grown stronger over time.
The President said that the people of Pakistan and China are bound by deep-rooted ties and expressed confidence that their hearts would always remain close to each other. He noted significant potential for enhanced cooperation between Pakistan and Hunan province, particularly in areas observed during the visit.
Speaking at the banquet, the Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong remarked that the President’s decision to visit Hunan reflects his special regard for Chairman Mao. He noted that Pakistan and China are expanding collaboration in agriculture, industry and minerals, and expressed hope that the visit would further strengthen bilateral cooperation, bring the two peoples closer and add significance to the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations.
Senator Saleem Mandviwalla; Mr Sharjeel Inam Memon, Senior Provincial Minister, Government of Sindh; Mr Ali Hassan Barohi; Syed Qasim Naveed Qamar, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister of Sindh for Investment and Public-Private Partnership Projects; Chief Secretary Sindh and Pakistan’s Ambassador to China Khalil Hashmi were also present on the occasion.
