President Asif Ali Zardari met Chinese leader Li Shulei during his visit to Chengdu, China. Li is a member of the Political Bureau and heads the Publicity Department of the Communist Party. The two leaders discussed ways to strengthen cooperation in politics, economy, and culture. Zardari thanked Chinese officials for their hospitality in Sichuan province. He also congratulated them on successfully hosting the Second Golden Panda Forum.
Li Shulei welcomed Zardari warmly and conveyed greetings from President Xi Jinping. He praised Zardari’s February visit to China and his recent article in China Daily. The article focused on the depth of China-Pakistan relations. Li appreciated Zardari’s consistent efforts to promote ties between the two countries. He highlighted the strong leadership shown by both Xi and Zardari in maintaining close bilateral relations.
Both sides agreed that the Pakistan-China friendship is time-tested and will only grow stronger in the years to come. They stressed the need to expand cooperation in more areas, including education and media. Zardari expressed Pakistan’s commitment to continue working with China at every level. He also emphasized the importance of people-to-people connections between the two nations. The meeting reflected mutual trust and shared vision for future progress.
Li Shulei spoke about promoting peace and cultural understanding across the world. He said the world needs the “fragrance of books, not the smell of gunpowder.” His comments highlighted China’s emphasis on soft diplomacy and cultural exchange. Zardari agreed and supported the idea of peace through knowledge and dialogue. Both leaders called for unity in an increasingly divided global environment.
This visit shows Pakistan’s focus on deepening strategic and cultural ties with China. It also sends a message of continued cooperation between the two long-standing allies. The meeting in Chengdu is part of Pakistan’s broader effort to strengthen international partnerships. As regional tensions grow, this partnership remains central to Pakistan’s foreign policy. The leaders ended the meeting on a hopeful note, aiming for a stronger future together.