ISLAMABAD   -   Pakistan People’s Party said yesterday that PPP founder Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and former Presi­dent Asif Ali Zardari played key role to cement Paki­stan-China ties. Senior PPP leader Senator Salim Man­dviwalla maintained the Vice Premier of China He Lifeng’s ongoing visit was a result of the relentless efforts of the PPP since Zul­fikar Ali Bhutto’s time. Sen­ator Salim Mandviwalla, the Chief Whip of the PPP in the Senate, emphasized the pivotal role played by Late Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in establishing enduring re­lations with China. Sena­tor Salim Mandviwalla contended that former President Asif Ali Zardari further strengthened the ties with China, and the credit for the China-Pak­istan Economic Corridor (CPEC) also goes to him, as recognized by the Chi­nese government. The PPP leader mentioned that the PP tirelessly worked day and night to initiate and ex­ecute the CPEC. Senator Sa­lim Mandviwalla noted that President Asif Ali Zardari and Chairman of the Paki­stan Peoples Party, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, made visits to China to promote and advance the CPEC project. He attributed the recent progress in the CPEC to the efforts of both Asif Ali Zardari and PPP chief Bi­lawal Bhutto Zardari. Sena­tor Mandviwalla said the PPP “values the friendship with China and strongly supports furthering the CPEC.” The Senator said as the Chairman of the Senate Standing Committee, he conducted multiple meet­ings and briefings in Gwa­dar regarding the CPEC.