ISLAMABAD: Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan Amjad Hussain on Friday met Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong and discussed expanding bilateral cooperation, with a focus on investment, trade, tourism, energy, minerals and cross-border connectivity.

During the meeting at the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad, Ambassador Jiang congratulated Amjad Hussain on assuming office and reaffirmed the enduring friendship between Pakistan and China. He said there was significant potential to strengthen cooperation between Gilgit-Baltistan and China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, particularly Kashgar, in key sectors including minerals, energy, tourism, trade and border links.

The ambassador stressed the importance of sustained coordination between the two governments on border management and other issues of mutual interest. He noted that several of these matters had also featured in recent discussions between President Asif Ali Zardari and the Chinese leadership, and assured the chief minister that Gilgit-Baltistan’s proposals would be conveyed to the relevant Chinese authorities for consideration.

Chief Minister Amjad Hussain thanked the Chinese envoy for the warm welcome and expressed his desire to undertake an official visit to China in the near future, including meetings with the governor of Xinjiang and other senior Chinese officials, to further strengthen the centuries-old cultural, economic and people-to-people ties between Gilgit-Baltistan and Xinjiang.

Inviting the Chinese government and private investors to explore investment opportunities in Gilgit-Baltistan, the chief minister highlighted the region’s vast potential in minerals, hydropower, renewable energy, tourism and infrastructure. He assured that the Gilgit-Baltistan government would provide all possible facilitation to Chinese investors.

Amjad Hussain also praised the socio-economic development of Xinjiang under the leadership of Chinese President Xi Jinping, describing it as a model of comprehensive development and regional prosperity.

The chief minister reaffirmed his government’s commitment to ensuring the security and uninterrupted operation of the Karakoram Highway, calling it a strategic corridor vital for bilateral trade, tourism and regional connectivity.

He also proposed launching direct flights between Skardu and Kashgar to boost tourism and people-to-people exchanges. In addition, he suggested introducing an on-arrival visa facility for Chinese tourists in Hunza, subject to approval by the Government of Pakistan, to further enhance tourism and economic cooperation.

Concluding the meeting, Ambassador Jiang welcomed the chief minister’s proposals, reiterated China’s commitment to continued cooperation, and expressed confidence that the proposed visit to China would open new avenues for collaboration and encourage greater Chinese investment in Gilgit-Baltistan.

The Gilgit-Baltistan delegation included Chief Secretary Arshad Majeed, Finance Secretary Najeeb Alam and Secretary to the Chief Minister Safdar Khan.