Xinhua News
Kunming, China: Pakistani entrepreneurs are finding new opportunities and long-term success in China, strengthening China-Pakistan economic cooperation through business innovation, cultural exchange, and growing trade ties.
Inside a warehouse in Guandu District of Kunming, Yunnan Province, Pakistani businessman Wang Chuan enthusiastically promotes handmade Pakistani shoes during a live-streaming session on Chinese social media platforms. Highlighting their soft soles, elegant designs, and superior comfort, he introduces a wide variety of traditional Pakistani footwear to Chinese consumers.
Having lived in Kunming for over a decade, Wang Chuan has fully embraced life in China. After completing his university education in China, he launched his own business, married a Chinese woman, and adopted the local lifestyle. Initially dealing in Pakistani handicrafts and furniture, he later shifted his focus to handcrafted Pakistani shoes after studying Chinese market trends and consumer demand.
Over the past ten years, Wang Chuan says he has experienced the warmth of the Chinese market through supportive government policies and sincere assistance from local communities. He now considers Kunming his second home and describes the Chinese people as family.
Beyond business, Wang Chuan is passionate about Chinese culture, cuisine, landscapes, and traditions. Through short videos shared online, he showcases daily life and China’s rapid development to audiences in Pakistan, helping people gain a better understanding of modern China.
“Many Pakistanis feel a deep connection with China and see enormous business potential in the Chinese market,” he said.
China has become an important destination for Pakistani entrepreneurs, including Karachi-based furniture businessman Saad. At his furniture factory in Sindh Province, preparations are underway for the upcoming 10th China-South Asia Expo, with workers carefully inspecting products scheduled for shipment to China.
Saad and his brothers regularly travel to China to participate in trade exhibitions, while another family member manages operations in Pakistan. They first attended the inaugural China-South Asia Expo in Kunming in 2013 and have participated in every edition since then.
Over the past 12 years, Saad has witnessed remarkable growth in the scale of the expo, the number of participating countries, and visitor turnout. He also praised the improved exhibition facilities, one-stop business services, and volunteer support that make participation easier for international businesses.
China’s advanced logistics and delivery network have also played a major role in supporting Pakistani exporters. Faster transportation services have simplified the shipment of heavy furniture across China, enabling products to reach customers directly and efficiently throughout the country.
The stories of Wang Chuan and Saad reflect the broader success of China-Pakistan trade and economic cooperation. In 2025, bilateral trade between China and Pakistan reached 25.24 billion US dollars, with China remaining Pakistan’s largest trading partner for several consecutive years. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has also achieved significant progress, further strengthening economic integration between the two countries.
Despite challenges over the past 75 years, the friendship between China and Pakistan continues to deepen through practical cooperation and people-to-people connections. From live-streaming studios in Kunming to furniture workshops in Karachi, handmade Pakistani shoes and premium furniture products symbolize the enduring partnership and cross-border friendship between the two nations.
