Overview

• President Asif Ali Zardari visited Kashgar’s Etigar Mosque, offered Asr prayer, and was received by CPC Kashgar Party Secretary Yao Ning and Imam Maimaiti Juben.
• He toured the Kashgar Free Trade Zone, established in 2015, which officials said links by road, rail and air to Asia and Europe and connects to Pakistan via Sost and Gwadar.
• Briefings highlighted the zone’s Digital Trade Centre opened in 2024, trade ties with 118 countries, and industrial cooperation under the Two Countries, Twin Parks initiative.
• Zardari met Serene Air CEO Yunchun Yang, urged expanded Pakistan operations, and received a pledge of further investment in the aviation sector, described as an intention rather than a finalized deal.
• He visited Kashgar University, engaged with Pakistani students, praised academic links as a bridge to Pakistan, and reiterated cooperation with China on counterterrorism and economic sectors.