Urumqi (TDI):Â Pakistan’s President, Asif Ali Zardari, during a 10-day official visit to China, said that Pakistan will continue to work with China in countering terrorism and extremism, as he met the Communist Party Secretary of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, Chen Xiaojiang.
Governor of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, Erkin Tuniyaz, was also present in the meeting. Secretary Chen warmly welcomed the President and recalled his earlier visit to Urumqi in 2011 to attend an Expo.
He further highlighted the recent visit of Pakistan’s Prime Minister to China for the SCO Summit, during which CPEC’s second phase was fast-tracked with agreements worth billions of dollars in industry, agriculture, mining and other sectors.
He briefed President Zardari that Xinjiang has now become a hub of prosperity, social stability and lasting peace, with its GDP surpassing 5.6 trillion yuan, adding that the Governor of Balochistan and the Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan had recently visited Xinjiang.
He assured that China and Pakistan will continue to maintain zero tolerance against terrorist groups targeting both countries, and reaffirmed the desire to work closely on security and counter-terrorism.
Read More: President Zardari Praises Xinjiang Institute’s Services for Muslims
President Zardari said he was delighted to be visiting Xinjiang again and deeply appreciated the unity of the Chinese people and the region’s impressive progress.
He expressed hope that growing linkages between Xinjiang and Pakistan’s northern areas would further strengthen cultural and economic bonds, adding that he looks forward to the day when both countries can be easily accessed by road.
Highlighting Xinjiang’s pivotal role in CPEC, the President encouraged greater industrial and agricultural collaboration, noting the potential of Special Economic Zones in Gilgit-Baltistan.
He invited people from Xinjiang to visit Pakistan’s northern regions and underlined that Pakistan will always remain China’s most reliable partner and trusted friend.
The meeting was followed by a dinner hosted by Chen Xiaojiang in honor of the President and his delegation.
Sohail Majeed
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
