President Asif Ali Zardari Visits Kashgar Free Trade Zone
President Asif Ali Zardari Visits Kashgar University
KASHGAR, China: Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari conducted an official visit to China's Kashgar region, touring both the strategic Kashgar Free Trade Zone and Kashgar University as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen Pakistan-China economic and educational ties.
During his visit to the Kashgar Free Trade Zone, President Zardari was received by Mr. Yao Ning, CPC Party Secretary of Kashgar, who provided a comprehensive briefing on the facility's remarkable growth since its establishment in 2015.
The zone, spanning 3.56 square kilometers, serves as southern Xinjiang's only free trade facility and operates as a crucial regional hub integrating bonded warehousing, logistics, processing, customs clearance, and air freight services. Officials highlighted the zone's impressive international reach, maintaining trade relationships with 118 countries and facilitating exports ranging from electric vehicles and batteries to solar cells, high-tech goods, and automotive parts.
The President was informed about the zone's strategic connectivity, linking Asia and Europe through road, rail, and air networks via its own international airport. Notably, the facility connects to Pakistan's Sost port in Gilgit-Baltistan (400 kilometers away) and Gwadar port (2,000 kilometers distant), handling both import and export operations through these vital corridors.
President Zardari toured various international pavilions representing Central Asian states, European countries, South Korea, and Japan. Officials also briefed him on recent developments, including the 2024 digital trade center now housing over 5,400 companies and a cross-border e-commerce exhibition center featuring duty-free products from Central Asia, Europe, and beyond.
The "Two Countries, Twin Parks" initiative was also showcased, featuring an authorized Uzbekistan industrial park offering 72-hour warehouse-to-warehouse delivery services and a developing Kyrgyzstan-backed park focused on automotive assembly and LED production.
The President's visit continued at Kashgar University, where he received a warm welcome from Mr. Ding Bangwen, Party Secretary of the University, along with faculty members and students.
Established in 1962 and achieving full university status in 2015, Kashgar University has emerged as southern Xinjiang's premier higher education institution. The university operates three campuses serving more than 40,000 students and faculty members, including several hundred international students, with plans to expand to nearly 50,000 members in coming years.
President Zardari praised the university's comprehensive academic offerings across science, engineering, technology, agriculture, social sciences, arts, culture, music, and dance. He emphasized the institution's unique position as the Chinese university closest to Pakistan and its vital role as a bridge for academic and cultural exchange between the two nations.
Highlighting the Pakistan-China Strategic Cooperative Partnership, the President stressed the importance of investing in youth and education to strengthen bilateral relations. He noted the significance of the Centre for China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) at the university, which supports research and collaboration on the Belt and Road Initiative.
During his interaction with Pakistani students from regions including Gilgit, Hunza, Dir, and Chitral, President Zardari inquired about their educational experience and living conditions. The students reported that the Chinese government fully funds their tuition and accommodation while providing additional stipends for food and other necessities.
President Zardari encouraged the students to excel academically and contribute to strengthening Pakistan-China friendship through their studies and future careers.
The presidential delegation included Senator Saleem Mandviwalla, Sindh Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, Pakistan's Ambassador to China, and China's Ambassador to Pakistan, underscoring the high-level diplomatic importance of the visit.
This visit reinforces the deepening economic and educational cooperation between Pakistan and China, particularly through initiatives like CPEC and cross-border academic exchanges that continue to strengthen bilateral ties.
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