Islamabad: President Asif Ali Zardari visited Kashgar University in Xinjiang, China, on September 20, 2025. He received a warm reception from University Party Secretary Ding Bangwen, educators, pupils, and Kashgar Party Secretary Yao Ning.
The president was informed about the institution’s background and current activities. Founded in 1962 and granted university status in 2015, Kashgar University acts as a regional center for learning and intercultural dialogue. With three locations, over 40,000 students and instructors, and hundreds of international students, the university is projected to grow to almost 50,000 members in the next few years.
Zardari commended the university’s academic contributions in various disciplines, including science, engineering, technology, agriculture, social sciences, arts, culture, music, and dance. He emphasized its significance as the nearest Chinese university to Pakistan, facilitating academic and cultural interactions.
Emphasizing the Pakistan-China Strategic Cooperative Partnership, Zardari stressed the value of nurturing young people and education to enhance long-term connections. He also spoke about the university’s Centre for China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which facilitates Belt and Road Initiative research and partnerships.
Zardari interacted with students and faculty, promoting stronger academic and cultural bonds. He met Pakistani students, mostly from Gilgit, Hunza, Dir, and Chitral, inquiring about their education and living arrangements. The students reported receiving full tuition and housing funding from the Chinese administration, as well as stipends for meals and other expenses. Zardari encouraged them to excel academically and contribute to Pakistan-China amity.
Senator Saleem Mandviwalla, Sindh Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, the Pakistani envoy to China, and the Chinese envoy to Pakistan joined the President on the visit.