- President Zardari visits Kashgar FTZ, urges stronger air connectivity, praising Xinjiang’s progress
- Terms it a vital hub for regional connectivity, calling for stronger Pak-China road and air links
- Urges private Chinese airline to expand operations in Pakistan to boost tourism, trade, lauding academic linkages
ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Sunday returned to Pakistan after completing a 10-day visit to China, terming the trip a renewed commitment to the Pakistan-China strategic partnership and deepening cooperation in trade, connectivity and people-to-people exchanges.
At Kashgar Laining International Airport, the president was seen off by CPC Party Secretary of Kashgar and Vice Governor of Xinjiang Nie Zhuang, the President Secretariat Press Wing said in a statement. Ambassadors of both countries were also present.
The president thanked the Chinese leadership for their hospitality, praised the country’s remarkable progress under President Xi Jinping’s vision—particularly in Xinjiang—and expressed hope that road travel between the two nations for tourism and trade would soon become a reality.
During the visit to Chengdu, Shanghai, Urumqi and Kashgar, President Zardari held meetings with Chinese provincial leadership, reviewed bilateral ties, CPEC projects and proposed new corridors. He also exchanged views on regional peace and cooperation, with several memorandums of understanding signed.
On the last leg of the trip, he visited the Kashgar Free Trade Zone (FTZ)—southern Xinjiang’s only such facility and a major logistics hub—where he urged a private Chinese airline to expand operations in Pakistan to boost connectivity. Spread over 3.56 square kilometres, the FTZ links 118 countries, exporting electric vehicles, solar cells, batteries, high-tech goods and auto parts. Officials said it is connected by road, rail and air to both Asia and Europe, while maintaining direct links with Sost port (400 km) and Gwadar port (2,000 km).
President Zardari also toured the Digital Trade Centre, established in 2024 and now hosting 5,400 companies, as well as the cross-border e-commerce exhibition center. He was briefed on the “Two Countries, Twin Parks” initiative, including an Uzbekistan-backed industrial park with 72-hour delivery facilities and a Kyrgyzstan-backed park under development for auto assembly and LED production.
Later, in a meeting with Serene Air CEO Yunchun Yang, the president urged enhanced flight operations between the two countries. Yang pledged further investment in Pakistan’s aviation sector and highlighted ongoing joint ventures with the Pakistan Air Force on JF-17 avionics.
In Kashgar, President Zardari also visited Kashgar University, where he praised its role as the nearest Chinese university to Pakistan and a bridge for cultural and academic exchange. Established in 1962 and upgraded to university status in 2015, it has three campuses with over 40,000 students and faculty, a number expected to rise to 50,000.
The president was accompanied by Senator Saleem Mandviwalla, Sindh Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, Pakistan’s ambassador to China, and the Chinese envoy to Pakistan.
