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

ISLAMABAD : Pakistan’s Ambassador to China, Khalil Hashmi, inaugurated the “Ambassador’s Kitchen” in Xi’an during the Euro-Asia Economic Forum 2025, showcasing Pakistan’s cuisine, hospitality, and exports such as mangoes, basmati rice, and pink salt as tools of cultural diplomacy. The initiative, launched in Shaanxi province, aims to strengthen cultural and economic ties, echoing Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s 2024 visit that deepened cooperation with the region. Hashmi highlighted food as a bridge for people-to-people connectivity and linked the effort to CPEC Phase-II goals in agriculture, food processing, and trade diversification. Held in Xi’an, the historic starting point of the Silk Road, the launch symbolized the revival of ancient linkages through modern trade and cultural exchanges.