President Asif Ali Zardari visited China’s Aviation Industry Corporation (AVIC). He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to expand defence and aviation ties with China. This historic visit, the first by a foreign head of state to AVIC, highlights the strong partnership between the two nations.
Zardari toured AVIC’s vast complex, which builds military and civilian aircraft, including the J-10C fighter jet. This jet played a key role in recent conflicts, like Ma‘raka-e-Haq and Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos. He met engineers and learned about advancements in the J-20 stealth jet, drones, and command systems. Zardari praised AVIC for boosting the Pakistan Air Force with the J-10 and JF-17 jets. He called AVIC a symbol of China’s technology and the enduring Pakistan-China bond.
President Asif Ali Zardari became the first foreign Head of State to visit China’s AVIC aircraft complex in Chengdu. He lauded the J-10 & JF-17’s role in strengthening PAF and hailed AVIC as a symbol of China’s tech progress & Pak-China strategic partnership. pic.twitter.com/J9moet5v2w
— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) September 14, 2025Zardari also travelled from Chengdu to Mianyang on a high-speed train, a 30-minute trip. He learned about its safety, eco-friendly electric systems, and earthquake warnings. He admired China’s 45,000-km high-speed rail network, which carries over 2 billion passengers yearly at speeds up to 350 km/h. Zardari said Pakistan could learn from China’s modern transport system.
The visit comes 128 days after a US-brokered ceasefire with India, following a four-day conflict sparked by a terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir. Accompanied by Bilawal Bhutto, Aseefa Bhutto, and others, Zardari’s trip shows the deep trust between Pakistan and China. The partnership aims to enhance defence and infrastructure growth.
President Asif Ali Zardari travelled from Chengdu to Mianyang on China’s high-speed train. He was briefed on the world’s largest high-speed rail network. He praised its safety & eco-friendly design & regarded the earthquake early-warning system as a marvel of modern engineering. pic.twitter.com/e5drUWX9jh
— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) September 14, 2025The Pakistan-China collaboration strengthens both nations’ defence and technology sectors. AVIC’s role in Pakistan’s air force and China’s rail innovations offer lessons for progress. This visit reinforces their “all-weather” friendship, vital for regional stability and growth.
