SICHUAN: Pakistan’s Ambassador to China, Khalil Hashmi, embarked on a strategic visit to Sichuan, the vibrant economic and cultural hub of Southwest China, last week. The purpose of the visit was to fortify cultural and economic ties between the two nations, marking a significant step in the ongoing collaboration.
Ambassador Hashmi actively engaged with various stakeholders during his visit, fostering connections with provincial leadership, business enterprises, academia, the Pakistani community, and Chinese media. This comprehensive approach aimed to ensure a multifaceted understanding of the existing dynamics and explore avenues for further cooperation.
Discussions with Chinese officials reflected mutual satisfaction with the robust nature of Pakistan-China relations. Both sides explored proposals to elevate cooperation, with a particular emphasis on economic and cultural collaboration. Existing sister province and sister city relationships formed a key part of the dialogue, emphasizing their role in fostering enduring connections.
Highlighting the importance of academic research and scholarship in advancing bilateral relations, Ambassador Hashmi met with the President of Sichuan University. This underscored the commitment to strengthening ties in the educational sphere and fostering intellectual exchanges between the two nations.
With a strategic focus on economic collaboration, the Ambassador engaged with diverse business enterprises spanning sectors such as agriculture, dairy, electronics, and logistics. Discussions centered around boosting Pakistan’s exports and attracting Chinese investment. The visit included participation in an investment round table organized by the provincial China Council for Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), where the liberal taxation regime in Pakistan was highlighted as an attractive incentive for potential investors.
