On Saturday, President Asif Ali Zardari arrived in Changsha, China, to begin a week-long visit invited by the Government of the People’s Republic of China.
He was welcomed on arrival by Hu Xusheng, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the Hunan Provincial People’s Congress, with ambassadors from both countries in attendance.
While in Changsha, the president will meet provincial leaders and will visit Shaoshan, the hometown and former residence of Chairman Mao Zedong. He will also travel to Sanya in Hainan Province during the visit.
Earlier he departed from Lahore, where Governor of Punjab Sardar Saleem Haider Khan saw him off at the airport. The meetings will focus on strengthening Pakistan-China bilateral relations, especially economic and trade cooperation and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Agreements and memoranda of understanding are expected to be signed between the Sindh government and Chinese companies. The visit, marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties, aims to reinforce economic cooperation, trade, and the strategic CPEC partnership between the two countries.