President Zardari Makes Historic Visit to Chinese Aircraft Complex Producing J-10C Jets

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari, in his capacity as Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, paid a historic visit to the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) aircraft complex, where the J-10C fighter jets—credited with playing a key role in the Battle of Haq—are manufactured.

President Zardari traveled from Chengdu to Mianyang on a high-speed electric train equipped with an earthquake warning system. He was briefed on the train’s operations, service, and safety systems, and praised it as a remarkable feat of engineering and innovation. The President remarked that China’s modern advancements serve as a lesson for Pakistan and the wider world.

Upon arrival in Mianyang, President Zardari was received by Vice Mayor Wu Hao. He toured the entire AVIC complex, where he was briefed on J-10, JF-17, and J-20 stealth fighters, as well as drones, autonomous units, and multi-domain operations. He noted that the J-10 and JF-17 have significantly strengthened the Pakistan Air Force, citing their performance in the May 2025 Battle of Haq and Operation Banyan al-Marsous.

President Zardari lauded AVIC as a symbol of China’s technological strength and the enduring Pakistan-China strategic partnership. He also met engineers and scientists at the facility. The President is the first foreign head of state to visit the AVIC aircraft complex.

Accompanying him on the visit were Chairman Bilawal Bhutto, First Lady Aseefa Bhutto, Senator Saleem Mandviwalla, Pakistan’s Ambassador to China Khalil Hashmi, and Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong, who remained with the President throughout the trip.

Later, President Zardari arrived in Shanghai, where he received a warm welcome from Mr. Chen Qun, Vice Chairman of the CPPCC Shanghai Committee, and senior officials from the Shanghai Foreign Affairs Office. Pakistan reaffirmed its commitment to expanding defense production and aviation cooperation with China.