Pakistan’s Ambassador to China, Khalil Hashmi, inaugurated the “Ambassador’s Kitchen” on the sidelines of the Euro-Asia Economic Forum 2025 in Xi’an, introducing a unique platform to celebrate Pakistan’s culinary heritage while strengthening cultural and economic ties with Shaanxi province.
Ambassador Hashmi highlighted the growing cooperation between Pakistan and Shaanxi, noting the momentum created by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to the province in June 2024. He said the kitchen would reflect Pakistan’s hospitality and showcase its signature products, including mangoes, basmati rice, and Himalayan pink salt.
Drawing parallels with the historic Silk Road, the Ambassador described food as a bridge for modern cultural diplomacy and economic cooperation, particularly in agriculture, food processing, and trade. He emphasised that such initiatives go beyond gastronomy by deepening people-to-people linkages and opening new avenues for collaboration.
On the sidelines of the forum, Ambassador Hashmi also underscored the role of the Euro-Asia Economic Forum in fostering Eurasian connectivity and witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Pakistan’s Cyclon Technology Pvt. Ltd. and China’s Shaanxi Water Development and Construction Group.
The initiative reflects Pakistan’s growing emphasis on cultural diplomacy as part of its broader engagement with China.
Related stories: