On the afternoon of October 15, 2008, Chinese President Hu Jintao held talks with Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari at the Great Hall of the People. Both sides exchanged in-depth views on bilateral ties and international and regional issues of common concern and reached broad consensus. The two heads of state agreed to learn from the successful experience in the development of bilateral ties, deepen all-weather friendship, enhance all-round cooperation and push China-Pakistan strategic cooperative partnership to a new level.

Hu said China-Pakistan relations have withstood the tests of changes in the international situation and their domestic circumstances and achieved sound, smooth development over the past 57 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties. This is attributed to the great importance the leaders of the two countries have attached to bilateral ties, he said. The two countries have actively expanded and deepened mutually beneficial cooperation based on the spirit of mutual benefit, win-win outcome and common development. Both sides are committed to safeguarding regional and world peace and stability and have maintained sound coordination and cooperation in international and regional affairs. Hu said as Pakistan is an important neighbor and strategic partner of China, China attaches great importance to ties with it and always takes the development of China-Pakistan relations as one of the priorities in its foreign policy.

Zardari said the friendship between the two peoples goes back to ancient times and the two sides have maintained sincere friendship with mutual support. He said the current visit, his first foreign trip after taking office, shows that the new Pakistani government gives top priority to further enhancing ties with China. “It is my historic mission to carry forward and develop the Pakistan-China friendship cause established by the older generations of the two countries,” he said. Zardari thanked for the strong support and assistance that the Chinese government and people have offered to his country’s economic development, pledging to adhere to the friendly policy towards China and make relentless efforts for the sound, stable development of bilateral ties.

On the economic front, Hu said the two countries were enjoying robust cooperation in economy and trade. The China-Pakistan free trade agreement, the five-year development program on their economic and trade cooperation and other relevant cooperation agreements are being well implemented in general with some important cooperation projects making positive headway. Hu suggested that both sides continue to well implement the agreements already signed, focus on the implementation of key projects and give priority to those mature ones. He also proposed the two nations create new areas and explore new ways of cooperation. "China and Pakistan should vigorously boost border trade and transit trade so as to bring more substantive benefits to the two peoples."

Hu said humanities exchanges are an important link to promote and develop China-Pakistan friendship. Both sides should strengthen friendly exchanges between their peoples, expand cooperation on culture, education, public health and journalism and continue to organize and well implement exchange and cooperation projects already agreed upon. In particular, both sides should hold the youth exchange activities and improve the mechanism of exchanging 100-youth delegations to train successors for China-Pakistan friendship cause and pass on their friendship from generation to generation.

Hu thanked Pakistan for its precious support on major issues concerning Taiwan, Tibet and Olympics. He said China is ready to enhance coordination and collaboration with Pakistan on international and regional issues, cooperating in addressing global challenges and ensuring peace, stability and development of the region and the world at large. China resolutely supports Pakistan’s efforts to safeguard national sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, to develop economy and to improve people’s livelihood, he added.

Zardari said the Pakistani government hopes to work with China to continue to advance friendly cooperation between both countries in all areas. Pakistan is ready to well implement bilateral cooperation agreements, carry out big projects, enhance economic and trade cooperation and work more closely in the areas of infrastructure, transport, environmental protection and finance. Both sides should also expand people-to-people exchanges and cooperation on education and culture, deepen coordination and cooperation in international and regional affairs, push for in-depth development of Pakistan-China good-neighborly friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation and make new contributions to regional peace, stability and prosperity. Zardari reaffirmed Pakistan's adherence to the one-China policy and support of China's peaceful reunification.

Follow the talks, the two heads of state jointly attended a signing ceremony of a range of bilateral cooperation documents concerning economy, technology, trade, mining, agriculture, environmental protection, communication satellite and radio, film and television.

Prior to the talks, Hu Jintao held a welcoming ceremony for Zardari’s visit on the square outside the East Gate of the Great Hall of the People. Vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress Jiang Shusheng, State Councilor Dai Bingguo, Vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Chen Zongxing, Vice-Chairman of the Central Committee of Taiwan Democratic Self-Government League Wu Guozhen, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, Governor of the People's Bank of China Zhou Xiaochuan, Vice Minister of the State Development and Reform Commission and Director General of National Energy Bureau Zhang Guobao and Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Luo Zhaohui attended the welcoming ceremony.