In an interview with a Chinese media outlet on Wednesday, President Asif Ali Zardari reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering support for the one-China principle, underscoring the enduring bond between the two nations.
During the interview, conducted to commemorate the 73rd anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan, President Zardari highlighted the deep-rooted affection of the Pakistani people towards China, emphasizing the absence of conditions in their mutual friendship.
This marks President Zardari’s inaugural engagement with foreign media since his re-election for a second term in March. Having previously visited China on nine occasions during his initial tenure, President Zardari reiterated Islamabad’s steadfast commitment to upholding the one-China principle, firmly rejecting any notion of “Taiwan independence.”
Asserting that Taiwan is an integral part of China, President Zardari underscored Pakistan’s unwavering solidarity with China and its core interests.
Transitioning to the development of the Gwadar Port, President Zardari lauded the substantial progress made since the inception of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) over a decade ago. He reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to fostering an environment conducive to global investment at the port.
President Zardari also spotlighted Pakistan’s initiative to incorporate the Chinese language into school curricula, aimed at fostering stronger ties between the two nations.
Underlining the significance of people-to-people exchanges, President Zardari advocated for policies facilitating seamless movement between Pakistan and China.
Expressing admiration for China’s remarkable achievements, President Zardari attributed its success to the consistency of its policies, while expressing Pakistan’s eagerness for enhanced participation in China’s developmental endeavors.
