Chinese PM Li Keqiang arrives in Islamabad

ISLAMABAD: Chinese Premier Li Keqiang arrived in Pakistan Wednesday for a two-day visit, Geo News reported.

President Asif Ali Zardari, Caretaker Prime Minister Mir Hazar Khan Khoso and Chief of were present to receive the Chinese PM.

Li, on his first since he took office, will hold talks with President Asif Ali Zardari and caretaker prime minister before meeting Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif on Thursday.

He will meet prime minister-elect Nawaz as the long-time allies look to boost trade ties.

Strict security measures have been adopted on the arrival of Chinese Premier. Security matters have been handed over the military, while mobile service suspended in the federal capital.

The Chinese premier is accompanied by a high-powered delegation, which includes Foreign Minister Mr. Wang Yi, Gao Hucheng, Minister for Commerce, and Xu Shaoshi, Chairman of National Development Reform Commission, high ranking officials and leaders of the corporate sector.

On 23rd May, President of Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz), Mian Mohammad Nawaz Sharif will call on him. “Premier Li Keqiang’s visit will mark yet another important step forward in reinforcing the strategic partnership between the two countries and open up new avenues for bilateral cooperation,” added the spokesman.

The prime minister will host a banquet for the Chinese premier in the evening. The highest award of Nishan-e-Pakistan will also be conferred upon the Chinese premier.

Besides having bilateral meetings with the president and prime minister, Premier Li Keqiang will hold a joint meeting with the chairman Senate and Speaker National Assembly and also address the Senate of Pakistan. Leaders of the political parties will also meet the Chinese premier.

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 achieving a 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 reached the figure of US$2 billion by 2012.

Many important agreements and MoUs in the fields of economy, science and technology, space and upper atmosphere, communication and energy would be signed during the visit of the Chinese premier. All these and other agreements are aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and improving the well-being of the two people.