Zardari in Sanya: CPEC Progress and Naval Upgrades Top Agenda in China Visit

WEB DESK: President Zardari has arrived in the tropical resort city of Sanya to conduct high-level talks regarding the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and to oversee a significant milestone in the two nations’ maritime defence cooperation.

The President’s arrival in Hainan province on Tuesday marks the second leg of a five-day official visit to China.

Having concluded an initial stay in Changsha, Hunan province,Zardari is now poised to engage with Chinese leadership on the next phase of the $65b (£52b) infrastructure initiative, which remains a cornerstone of Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative.

Strengthening the ‘Iron Brotherhood’ through CPEC

Central to the discussions in Sanya is the continued expansion of CPEC, a multi-billion-dollar framework designed to modernise Pakistan’s infrastructure and energy sectors.

As Islamabad seeks to stabilise its economy under a $7b IMF programme, the President’s visit is viewed as a strategic push to secure further investment and trade cooperation.

Officials from the President’s office confirmed that the dialogue will focus on deepening bilateral economic ties, ensuring the timely completion of ongoing development projects, and exploring new avenues for regional connectivity involving Gulf and Central Asian states.

Maritime defence and the Hangor-class submarine

Beyond economic diplomacy, the visit holds significant weight for Pakistan’s naval capabilities. President Zardari is scheduled to attend the formal commissioning of the Hangor-class submarine, the first of eight vessels being acquired from China.

This procurement highlights the deep-seated military partnership between the two countries; data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) indicates that Pakistan accounted for over 60pc of China’s total arms exports between 2020 and 2024.

Under the current agreement, four of these advanced submarines are being constructed in China, while the remaining four will be built locally at the Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works.

The integration of these vessels is expected to provide a substantial boost to the Pakistan Navy’s strategic reach and underwater combat capabilities in the Indian Ocean.