President Zardari Strengthens Defence and Aviation Ties During Visit to China

BEIJING/SHANGHAI: President Asif Ali Zardari reaffirmed on Sunday that Pakistan and China will continue to expand cooperation in defence production, aviation, and advanced technologies, further deepening their all-weather strategic partnership.

The president made these remarks during his visit to the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) — one of China’s leading aerospace and defence enterprises that designs and produces a wide range of civilian and military aircraft, including the J-10C fighter jets and the JF-17 Thunder co-produced with Pakistan.

Historic Visit to AVIC

According to the President’s Secretariat, this was the first time a foreign head of state visited the AVIC complex. President Zardari toured the facility, met with engineers and scientists, and was briefed on cutting-edge technologies, including:

• J-10 and JF-17 fighter aircraft

• J-20 stealth 5th-generation jet

• Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)

• Integrated command-and-control systems

President Zardari praised AVIC as “a symbol of China’s technological advancement and a reflection of the enduring friendship between Pakistan and China.” He added that the J-10 and JF-17 have significantly strengthened the Pakistan Air Force.

Strengthening Bilateral Relations

The president was accompanied by:

• Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, Chairman PPP

• Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari, MNA

• Senator Saleem Mandviwalla

• Pakistan’s Ambassador to China Khalil Hashmi

• China’s Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong

After concluding his engagements in Chengdu, President Zardari arrived in Shanghai, where he was warmly received by senior Chinese officials, including Chen Qun, Vice Chairman of the CPPCC Shanghai Committee.

Broader Agenda of the Visit

President Zardari is currently on a 10-day official visit to China. His trip includes meetings with Chinese leadership in Beijing, Shanghai, and Xinjiang, where discussions will cover:

• Pakistan-China Economic and Trade Cooperation

• China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)

• Future connectivity and regional development initiatives

The Foreign Office emphasized that the visit reflects the strong tradition of high-level exchanges between Pakistan and China, highlighting the commitment of both countries to strengthening their strategic partnership.

✅ Summary: President Zardari’s visit to China marks a new milestone in Pakistan-China defence and aviation cooperation, with both nations reaffirming their resolve to advance economic, technological, and strategic ties.