President Asif Ali Zardari has reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with China in defence production and aviation. The announcement was made during his official visit to the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) in Chengdu, where he emphasized the importance of advancing the strategic partnership between the two countries.
Zardari’s Visit to China
President Zardari is currently on a 10-day visit to China. The trip reflects Pakistan’s focus on expanding ties with Beijing in defence, technology, economy, and infrastructure. During his visit to AVIC, China’s leading aerospace and defence conglomerate, the president toured the facility and met with engineers and scientists.
He was briefed on advanced capabilities, including the J-10 fighter jet, the co-production of the JF-17 Thunder, the development of the J-20 fifth-generation stealth aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles, automated defence systems, and integrated command-and-control technologies designed for multi-domain operations.
Strengthening Pakistan’s Air Power
Speaking on the occasion, President Zardari praised AVIC’s role in strengthening the Pakistan Air Force. He highlighted that both the J-10C and JF-17 Thunder have proven critical for Pakistan’s air defence, particularly during the May 2025 operations, which demonstrated their effectiveness against regional adversaries.
“The J-10 and JF-17 have greatly strengthened Pakistan’s defence capabilities. Their performance clearly reflects the enduring cooperation between Pakistan and China,” he stated.
Symbol of Strategic Partnership
President Zardari described AVIC as a symbol of China’s technological progress and a testament to the “all-weather friendship” between the two nations. He noted that his visit was historic since no foreign head of state had previously been allowed inside the AVIC complex.
The president was accompanied by his son and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, his daughter Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari, Senator Saleem Mandviwalla, Pakistan’s Ambassador to China Khalil Hashmi, and China’s Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong.
Expanding Cooperation Beyond Defence
After Chengdu, President Zardari traveled to Shanghai, where he was warmly received by senior Chinese officials. His itinerary also includes visits to Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Throughout the tour, he will hold meetings with top Chinese leadership to expand cooperation in diverse fields.
According to official briefings, the discussions will cover bilateral ties, with a particular focus on:
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Defence and aviation cooperation
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Economic and trade relations
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China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects
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Future connectivity initiatives
A Deepening Strategic Relationship
The visit underscores the tradition of high-level exchanges between Pakistan and China. Both countries view their relationship as a cornerstone of regional stability and mutual growth. The reaffirmation of defence and aviation collaboration signals a strong intent to develop next-generation technologies together.
By enhancing joint production, sharing expertise, and advancing strategic initiatives, Pakistan and China continue to strengthen a partnership rooted in trust, cooperation, and shared objectives.
