Ambassador Khalil Hashmi launches ‘Ambassador’s Kitchen’ in Xi’an to deepen cultural ties

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.