Pakistani President looks to unlock country's economic potential via CPEC cooperation

Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari has expressed his hopes for strengthened collaboration with China under the upgraded China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), aiming to enhance mountain infrastructure, drive agricultural development and cultivate innovative industrial partnerships.

At the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, President Zardari paid a state visit to China from Feb 4 to 8.

During their talks, Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized China's commitment to deepening practical cooperation with Pakistan in various sectors and working together to upgrade the CPEC project.

Launched in 2013, the CPEC, a flagship project of BRI, is a corridor linking Gwadar Port in southwest Pakistan's Balochistan province with Kashgar in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, which highlights energy, transport, and industrial cooperation in the first phase, while the new phase expands to the fields of agriculture and livelihood.

In an exclusive interview with China Media Group (CMG), President Asif Ali Zardari spoke about his government's efforts to promote economic development and how China can be a key partner in this endeavor.

"The path that leads to us is a mountainous region. So, they have issues with that mountainous region. That needs to be solidified, so that can withstand future issues like floods, like other depressions. Agriculture is somewhere where China can help us and per capita, per acre yield is much less than yours. I've just had a meeting with a company which is talking about the export of milk," he said.

On industrial cooperation, he highlighted the convenience of remote work, proposing a model where Chinese managers remotely oversee production in Pakistan from China, while local workers handle the tasks on the ground.

"The industry concept is simple. We have got industrial parks only for China and those industrial parks are going to be worked upon by the Pakistani labor, because now the concept is of working from home. The chairman of the company can be sitting anywhere in China and he will still be running his company in Pakistan. So, this is something that we discussed with the Chinese government," he said.

Pakistani President looks to unlock country's economic potential via CPEC cooperation

The inaugural maritime film festival kicked off on board China's first domestically built large cruise ship Adora Magic City on Sunday, with classic movie screenings, exhibitions of cinematic memorabilia and interactive activities together creating a special journey for travelers.

Jointly presented by Adora Cruises and Changchun Film Group, guests are treated with movie screenings, panel sessions with actors, as well as interactive performances themed on classic movies during a five-day voyage.

The themed cruise season will run until the end of June on three cruise ships.

"Through the in-depth expansion of the 'film plus' model, we combine resources across sectors to explore new pathways for the integrated development of the film and television industry and the cruise economy," said Zhuang Yan, chairman of Changchun Film Group, at the opening event.

Actor Hou Yong, who is on the maiden voyage of the film-themed cruise season, said he was looking forward to having interactive experiences with audiences.

"During this journey, I also look forward to those chances of encounters -- with film audiences, with film enthusiasts. As an actor, I feel I have the obligation, the capability, and the responsibility to pass on my understanding of Chinese cinema to them," he said.

Adora Magic City, 323.6 meters long, has a gross tonnage of 135,500 tonnes and can accommodate up to 5,246 passengers in 2,125 guest rooms.

First maritime film festival launched on China's homegrown cruise ship