Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari is set to begin a visit to China on Saturday aimed at strengthening bilateral relations, with a particular emphasis on economic and trade cooperation.
According to a statement from Pakistan’s Foreign Office, Zardari will travel to Changsha in Hunan province from April 25 to 27, followed by a visit to Sanya in Hainan province from April 28 to May 1.
During the trip, he is expected to meet provincial leadership to discuss Pakistan–China ties, including progress on economic cooperation and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The Foreign Office described the visit as part of ongoing efforts to deepen the “all-weather strategic cooperative partnership” between the two countries, which are marking 75 years of diplomatic relations this year.
The visit comes amid growing regional diplomatic activity, including speculation over a potential second round of Iran–US talks in Pakistan.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Pakistan late Friday for meetings with the country’s leadership. Separately, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said US Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff and presidential adviser Jared Kushner would travel to Pakistan on Saturday for discussions involving representatives of the Iranian delegation.
However, there has been no official confirmation that direct talks between Washington and Tehran will take place during the visit.
(With inputs from PTI)