ISLAMABAD — President Asif Ali Zardari has reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering support for China, declaring that the two countries share an “all-weather” bond that extends through both prosperity and challenges.
Speaking in an interview with Chinese state broadcaster CGTN, aired on Thursday, Zardari said his recent trip to China one of several in past years was part of Pakistan’s tradition of “goodwill visits” aimed at strengthening ties with Beijing.
“My visits are always goodwill visits because China is the future, and the entire East will work with China,” he remarked.
Commenting on Beijing’s Global Governance Initiative, the president emphasized mutual respect for sovereignty, saying: “Global governance means no country should intrude into another’s territory. I will respect their sovereignty, and they must respect mine.”
Zardari underlined that Pakistan’s relationship with China is rooted in both state-level cooperation and the goodwill of its people. “We stand with China in good times and in bad. Not that I see China facing bad times, but even then, if needed, we are there,” he stressed.
On Pakistan’s role in supporting China globally, Zardari said: “Wherever I go, my first position is to respect China for its people, its technology, for everything it represents.”
Referring to the strategic partnership under the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) 2.0, he described Gwadar Port as a “futuristic project” that would benefit generations to come by serving as China’s closest maritime link. “One day, future generations will thank both Chinese and Pakistani people for envisioning this port,” he said.
The president noted that the project’s success depends on stability in Balochistan, stressing that economic development is a unifying force. “Economic growth keeps nations together, and that is why ensuring security in Balochistan is so critical,” he added.
Zardari described the Pakistan-China relationship as that of “iron-clad brothers joined at the hip,” calling it not only a bond of trust but also a tremendous opportunity for both countries.
