Chinese Aviation Giant Rolls Out red Carpet for President Zardari
BEIJING: President Asif Ali Zardari became the first foreign head of state to visit the facilities of the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) on Sunday,reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to expanding defense and aviation collaboration wiht China. He was accompanied by his children, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and MNA Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari.
during the visit to AVIC,the state-owned manufacturer of the J-10C aircraft,President Zardari praised the J-10 and JF-17 aircraft for bolstering Pakistan’s aerial defence capabilities. He lauded AVIC as “a symbol of China’s technological advancement and of the enduring strategic partnership between Pakistan and China.”
The President met with AVIC engineers and scientists, expressing admiration for the capabilities of Chinese-made aircraft. He referenced their demonstrated effectiveness during recent operations, specifically mentioning Maarka-i-Haq and Operation Bunyanum Marsoos against India.
AVIC officials briefed President Zardari on their extensive capabilities, including the J-10, the co-production of the JF-17 Thunder with Pakistan, the J-20 stealth fifth-generation fighter aircraft, and unmanned aerial vehicles.
President Zardari also travelled from Chengdu to mianyang via high-speed train during his visit. He praised China’s advancements in enduring transport, describing its pollution-free electric propulsion and earthquake early warning technologies as “a marvel of railway engineering.” He noted the valuable lessons Pakistan coudl draw from these innovations. Officials highlighted that China operates the world’s largest high-speed rail network, exceeding 45,000 kilometres, carrying over 2 billion passengers annually on trains capable of reaching speeds of up to 350km per hour, linking almost all major Chinese cities.
Senator Saleem Mandviwalla, Pakistan’s Ambassador to China Khalil Hashmi, and China’s Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong also accompanied the President.
Published in Dawn, September 15th, 2025
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