STORY: Pakistan firmly upholds one-China principle: president
SHOOTING TIME: May 22, 2024
DATELINE: May 23, 2024
LENGTH: 0:01:57
LOCATION: Islamabad
CATEGORY: POLITICS

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the presidential palace   
2. various of the interview
3. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): ASIF ALI ZARDARI, Pakistani President
4. various of the interview
5. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): ASIF ALI ZARDARI, Pakistani President
6. various of the interview
7. SOUNDBITE 3 (Urdu): ASIF ALI ZARDARI, Pakistani President
8. various of the interview
9. SOUNDBITE 4 (Chinese): ASIF ALI ZARDARI, Pakistani President
10. various of the interview

STORYLINE:

Pakistan abides by the one-China principle as the country always chooses to stand on the right side of history, Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari said during a recent interview with Chinese media.

Tuesday observes the 73rd anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan.

Zardari recalled the rapport between the previous generations' leaders of the two countries.

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): ASIF ALI ZARDARI, Pakistani President
"My late father-in-law Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, he told the nation to look east to look towards China."

Zardari, who had visited China nine times during his first term as Pakistani president, said Pakistani people love China as "there is no conditionality between us."

Zardari reaffirmed Pakistan's stance of upholding one-China principle, rejecting any form of "Taiwan-independence."

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): ASIF ALI ZARDARI, Pakistani President
"Taiwan is part of China. There's no other way. I was on the right side of history. I was with China."

Zardari also commented on the development of Gwadar Port, a starting point of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

SOUNDBITE 3 (Urdu): ASIF ALI ZARDARI, Pakistani President
"I think, although many things have been developed in the last 11 years, more should be done. We understand and see the strategic position of Gwadar Port. If foreign investors would like to come then they are most welcome."

Zardari also emphasized the importance of strengthening people-to-people exchanges between the two countries, and spoke highly of the development achievements made by the Chinese people.

SOUNDBITE 4 (Chinese): ASIF ALI ZARDARI, Pakistani President
"Long live Pakistan-China friendship!"

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Islamabad.
(XHTV)