ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN
President Asif Ali Zardari has publicly reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to China, stating the country “stands with China in good times and bad times.” The remarks were made during a wide-ranging interview with Chinese state-owned broadcaster CGTN, aired on Thursday, following the President’s recent visit to Beijing.
Characterizing all his visits to the neighboring country as “goodwill visits,” President Zardari stressed the strategic alignment between the two nations. “China is the future and all of the East will work with China,” he said.
He described the relationship between the two nations using famously warm diplomatic terms, calling them “All-weather, iron-clad brothers,” but added an even deeper analogy: “that we are joined on the hip also.” He emphasized that this closeness represents a significant opportunity for both countries.
On Global Governance and Economic Mindset
Commenting on China’s Global Governance Initiative, President Zardari articulated a philosophy of non-interference and mutual respect: “Global governance means that I cannot walk into any other country nor any other country [can] walk into me. They have to be respectful about my territory, I shall be respectful of their territory.”
When asked about joint efforts to promote the initiative, he advocated for a shift in global priorities. “We don’t need a marshal mindset, we need an economical mindset. We need to let the people live and let live.” He assured Beijing that he brings “international goodwill and the Pakistani people’s goodwill,” alongside the guarantee that Pakistan’s support is absolute, asserting, “Not that I see China going through a bad time, but even then, we are there, in case [we are] needed.”
CPEC as a ‘Great Futuristic Project’
Focusing on the economic dimension, President Zardari lauded CPEC 2.0 as a “great futuristic project,” stressing the unparalleled strategic location of the Gwadar Port.
“We are the closest port to China,” he noted. “One day, the generations to come will thank Chinese people and Pakistani people [for thinking] about that port. That port will be the closest link you have to China.”
He linked the port’s success directly to regional stability, adding that the activation of the port will boost employment and trade. Consequently, he concluded, there is a “great importance for me to make sure Balochistan is safer,” highlighting the fundamental belief that “economic growth kept nations together.”
