Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari has called for stronger economic and trade cooperation between Pakistan and China, according to Radio Pakistan. The appeal was made during a meeting with Hao Yuejiao, President of the China Africa & Asia Trade & Cooperation Promotion Association, at Aiwan-e-Sadr in Islamabad.
Radio Pakistan reports that Zardari emphasized the need to deepen bilateral economic ties. The meeting focused on expanding collaboration between the two countries, with the president highlighting the importance of moving beyond existing agreements toward concrete outcomes.
The discussion comes amid broader efforts to boost business-to-business cooperation between Pakistani and Chinese firms. According to Business Recorder, such B2B partnerships are opening up new avenues for growth, as noted by Haroon, though the outlet does not specify his full title or role.
Separately, The Express Tribune reported that Chinese companies are joining projects in Pakistan’s lithium and pharmaceutical sectors. These developments indicate a widening scope of engagement beyond traditional infrastructure projects, which have long been a cornerstone of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.
The News Pakistan also noted that Pakistan is pushing to convert memorandums of understanding into actual investments and exports. This suggests a strategic shift from signing agreements to ensuring they translate into tangible economic activity.
The meeting between Zardari and Hao Yuejiao is part of a series of engagements aimed at strengthening the partnership. The Associated Press of Pakistan confirmed the meeting took place, though details of specific proposals or outcomes were not disclosed in the available reporting.
What to watch next: whether the discussions lead to new investment commitments or export deals in the coming months, particularly in the lithium and pharmaceutical sectors where Chinese firms are already active.
