Chinese premier arrives on 2-day visit
F.P. Report
ISLAMABAD: The newly-elected Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang is arriving in Pakistan today (Wednesday) on a two-day official visit along with a high level delegation to give further impetus to strategic relations between the two countries.
The new Chinese Prime Minister is expected to sign several agreements and memorandums of understanding (MoUs) on various sectors including science, technology, space research, communication, energy, economics and other areas to further enhance bilateral relations.
Premier Li Keqiang during his visit will meet with President Asif Ali Zardari and caretaker Prime Minister Mir Hazar Khan Khoso. President Asif Ali Zardari and caretaker Prime Minister Mir Hazar Khan Khoso will host banquets for the visiting Chinese premier.
The Chinese PM will also hold meeting with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif who will accompany him to Pak-China Friendship Center. The visiting PM will hold a joint meeting with the Chairman Senate and Speaker National Assembly and also address the Senate of Pakistan. Leaders of other political parties will also meet the Chinese Premier. He will also plant a tree at Shakarparian.
The Chinese Premier will be accompanied by a high powered delegation which includes Foreign Minister Mr. Wang Yi, Mr. Gao Hucheng, Minister for Commerce and Mr. Xu Shaoshi, Chairman of National Development Reform Commission and, high ranking officials and leaders of corporate sector.
After his arrival on 22nd May, the Chinese Premier will meet President Asif Ali Zardari who will host a luncheon in his honour at the Presidency. The Chinese Premier will hold talks with the President and the Prime Minister after which a joint press statement will be issued. The Prime Minister will host a banquet for the Chinese Premier in the evening. The Chinese Premier will also be awarded the highest award of Nishan-e-Pakistan.
Pakistan and China are “all weather” friends. Their traditional and friendly cooperative ties are based on shared principles and mutual interests entailing cooperation in diverse fields. Both countries hold identical views on important world issues and cooperate at international forums.At the popular level in both countries, there is strong resonance of the long and rich history of close and cordial ties.
Economic cooperation between Pakistan and China has expanded significantly in recent years. The bilateral trade between Pakistan and China in 2012 crossed the figure of US$ 12 billion for the first time. Both sides are committed to achieve annual trade target of US$ 15 billion in the next two-three years.
Several major energy and infrastructure development projects are being executed in Pakistan with Chinese assistance. More than 120 Chinese companies are engaged in economic activity in Pakistan and Chinese investment has reached the figure of US $ 2 billion by 2012.
