President Zardari embarks on weeklong visit to China to deepen strategic, economic ties

• Visit to focus on trade expansion and CPEC cooperation, marks 75 years of Pakistan–China diplomatic relations: FO

• President to hold meetings with provincial leadership in Hunan, Hainan as Stops scheduled in Changsha from April 25–27 and Sanya from April 28–May 1

• FO calls visit part of longstanding high-level exchange tradition as last visit saw six MoUs signed in agriculture, energy, rail and other sectors

 ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Saturday departed for a week-long visit to China aimed at advancing bilateral ties, expanding economic cooperation and marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, state-run PTV News reported.

Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider saw off President Zardari at Allama Iqbal International Airport Lahore ahead of the official engagements.

صدر آصف علی زرداری کا دورہ چین، سی پیک اور معاشی تعاون پر اہم بات چیت متوقع!

اسلام آباد: دفتر خارجہ کے مطابق صدر آصف علی زرداری آج 25 اپریل سے یکم مئی 2026 تک چین کا سرکاری دورہ کریں گے، جو چینی حکومت کی دعوت پر ہوگا۔

دورے کے دوران صدر زرداری 25 سے 27 اپریل تک صوبہ ہنان کے شہر… pic.twitter.com/i6rAGtF7QW

— PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) April 25, 2026

In a statement, the Foreign Office said the visit will focus on strengthening economic and trade cooperation, with particular emphasis on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, a flagship project of the broader Pakistan-China strategic partnership.

🔊PR No.1️⃣0️⃣9️⃣/2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣6️⃣

Curtain Raiser: Visit of the President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to the People’s Republic of China
🔗⬇️ pic.twitter.com/VpXAQMvP43

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) April 25, 2026

The statement said that under the itinerary, President Zardari will visit Changsha in Hunan province from April 25 to 27, followed by Sanya in Hainan province from April 28 to May 1.

During the visit, the president is scheduled to hold meetings with provincial leadership to review the full spectrum of Pakistan-China ties, with discussions expected to centre on trade expansion, investment cooperation and progress on CPEC-related initiatives.

Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari will undertake a visit to China from April 25 to May 1, according to Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The president will travel to Changsha in Hunan Province and Sanya in Hainan Province, and will hold meetings with the provincial… pic.twitter.com/WuIuucYICJ

— Global Times (@globaltimesnews) April 25, 2026

The FO said the visit forms part of the longstanding tradition of high-level exchanges between Pakistan and China and carries added significance as both countries commemorate 75 years of diplomatic relations this year.

It said the trip reflects the “deep commitment” of both sides to further consolidate their strategic cooperative partnership and deepen collaboration across key sectors.

President Zardari last visited China on a 10-day official trip in 2025, during which he held meetings with the Chinese leadership and senior officials to strengthen bilateral relations, broaden cooperation in diverse sectors and advance shared strategic objectives.

During that visit, six memorandums of understanding (MoUs) were signed between the Sindh government and business-to-business partners in sectors including agriculture, defence, energy, rail connectivity and farmer training, with plans later announced to expand those initiatives to other provinces.