President Zardari in Sanya as Pakistan, China deepen CPEC and naval cooperation

• Asif Ali Zardari arrives in Sanya for high-level talks with Chinese leadership Visit following engagements in Changsha

• Talks to focus on multi-billion-dollar infrastructure cooperation under CPEC as President to attend commissioning of submarine ‘Hangor’

 ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday arrived in China’s tropical resort city of Sanya for high-level talks with the Chinese leadership on a multi-billion-dollar infrastructure and development framework, alongside attending the commissioning ceremony of a submarine for the Pakistan Navy, according to an official statement.

China remains Pakistan’s key strategic partner and major investor, having pledged over $65 billion in road, infrastructure, and development projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship initiative of President Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road Initiative.

The President arrived in China on Saturday for a five-day official visit. He first visited Changsha in China’s Hunan province from April 25 to 27, before reaching Sanya in Hainan province, where he is expected to stay until May 1, the Foreign Office said.

In a post on X, the President’s Office said: “President Asif Ali Zardari arrived in Sanya after completing his visit to Hunan.”

President Asif Ali Zardari arrived in Sanya after completing his visit to Hunan. He was received by CPC Hainan Party Secretary Wang Jiang. The visit reflects strong 🇵🇰-🇨🇳 ties. He will discuss cooperation & CPEC with leadership, and attend the commissioning of submarine Hangor. pic.twitter.com/SHOtsNtqw3

— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) April 28, 2026

It added that he will hold discussions on bilateral cooperation and CPEC-related projects with Chinese leadership and attend the commissioning ceremony of the submarine Hangor.

Pakistan has signed an agreement with China for the acquisition of eight Hangor-class submarines, under which four submarines are being built in China, while the remaining four will be constructed in Pakistan at the Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works Ltd.

Islamabad has long remained Beijing’s top arms customer, accounting for more than 60 per cent of China’s weapons exports during 2020–2024, according to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.

The visit comes as Pakistan continues efforts to deepen trade, investment, and strategic cooperation with China, Gulf countries, and Central Asian states amid broader economic stabilisation efforts.

In recent years, Islamabad has sought to strengthen its economy with support from a $7 billion International Monetary Fund programme, while simultaneously expanding external partnerships to boost growth and infrastructure development.