Sanya: President Asif Ali Zardari has expressed Pakistan's interest in expanding cooperation with China, particularly focusing on Hainan province's tropical agriculture, port development, seed technology, and fisheries. During discussions with Party Secretary of Hainan, Mr. Feng Fei, President Zardari emphasized the importance of strengthening ties between Hainan's enterprises and Pakistan's industrial and export sectors to boost bilateral trade.

According to Radio Pakistan, the President highlighted the significance of people-to-people contacts, referencing the participation of Pakistani athletes in the Sixth Asian Beach Games in Sanya as a constructive move towards enhancing mutual understanding. He expressed gratitude for the hospitality extended by the Government of Hainan and acknowledged the province's evolution into a vital hub for international trade and investment.

President Zardari reiterated that the friendship with China remains central to Pakistan's foreign policy, enjoying wide-ranging support across the public and institutional spheres. He also pointed out that 2026 will mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations, underscoring the longstanding ties.

In their discussions, both parties exchanged perspectives on regional and international issues, reaffirming their mutual commitment to peace, stability, dialogue, and cooperation. Secretary Feng Fei, on his part, highlighted Hainan's progress as a Free Trade Port and its expanding influence in global trade and investment. He noted the significant growth in trade between Pakistan and Hainan, which has nearly doubled recently, and mentioned that over 500 Pakistani students are pursuing their education in various universities across Hainan.