zardari_670_11
President Asif Ali Zardari. — File Photo

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari telephoned Xi Jinping on Saturday and felicitated him on his election as president by the National People’s Congress.

President Zardari expressed the hope that the time-tested ties between the two countries would grow from strength to strength during the presidency of Mr Jinping and that efforts for passing on the relationship to the new generations would gain momentum.

Presidency’s spokesman Senator Farhatullah Babar said the two presidents also discussed bilateral relations and regional situation.

Expressing satisfaction over the bilateral agreement over operations of Gwadar port, President Zardari said the project was expected to open up new opportunities for the peoples of the two countries. He said it would also open a new chapter in ‘regional connectivity’ and trade. He said that Pakistan was eager to promote regional connectivity and trade for socio-economic benefit of the people and for finding regional solutions to regional issues.

Mr Zardari invited President Xi to visit Pakistan on a date of his convenience.

The Chinese president thanked Mr Zardari for his call and felicitations and expressed the hope that Pak-China friendship and multi-faceted mutual cooperation would further be strengthened in the times to come.

He also extended invitation to President Zardari to visit China.

President Zardari said he had visited China nine times since assuming the office and that he looked forward to visiting the country again on dates to be worked out by the foreign offices of the two countries.

Opinion

Editorial

Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...
New terror wave
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

New terror wave

The time has come for decisive government action against militancy.
Development costs
27 Mar, 2024

Development costs

A HEFTY escalation of 30pc in the cost of ongoing federal development schemes is one of the many decisions where the...
Aitchison controversy
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

Aitchison controversy

It is hoped that higher authorities realise that politics and nepotism have no place in schools.