Pakistan's Ambassador to China, Khalil Hashm inaugurated the “Ambassador's Kitchen” in Xi'an on the sidelines of the Euro-Asia Economic Forum 2025, presenting Pakistan's food, hospitality, and signature exports as a symbol of cultural diplomacy.

The initiative, launched in Shaanxi province, highlights Pakistan's culinary heritage by introducing visitors to mangoes, basmati rice, pink salt, and traditional dishes, while serving as a platform to expand cultural and economic exchanges, Gwadar Pro reported.

Speaking at the event, Ambassador Hashmi recalled Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's June 2024 visit to Shaanxi, which he said significantly boosted cooperation between the province and Pakistan. “Food is a bridge for people-to-people connectivity, much like the Silk Road once was. Today, Shaanxi stands as a gateway for Pakistan's deeper engagement with China,” he said.

The kitchen, he noted, aligns with Pakistan's broader engagement under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Phase-II, particularly in sectors such as agriculture, food processing, and trade diversification. With China emerging as Pakistan's largest trading partner, Hashmi stressed that cultural diplomacy would complement strategic and economic cooperation.

The launch in Xi'an, once the starting point of the ancient Silk Road, was also symbolic. It underscored how modern-day CPEC projects are reviving historical linkages between Pakistan and China through trade, culture, and connectivity.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP) — Pak-China