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Li Keqiang pledges stronger partnership with Pakistan
ISLAMABAD: Chinese Premier Li Keqiang vowed to strengthen his country's partnership with Pakistan as he arrived here Wednesday for a two-day visit.
The long-time allies will look to use trip to boost trade ties, and Li will meet prime minister-elect Nawaz Sharif -- who has not yet been sworn in -- as well as holding talks with senior officials.
Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) party swept to victory in the May 11 general election.
Trade between China and Pakistan hit an annual $12 billion for the first time last year, according to Islamabad's foreign ministry, and the two sides plan to raise this to $15 billion in the next two to three years.
Li, arriving from India on his first overseas tour as premier, was met by President Asif Ali Zardari on the tarmac at Nur Khan air base in Rawalpindi next to Islamabad.
"The purpose of the visit is to devise a strategy to bolster future cooperation and friendship," Li said in a statement quoted by state broadcaster.
"We will strengthen a strategic partnership with Pakistan in whatever the international scenario and circumstances are."
The Chinese premier will hold talks with Zardari and caretaker prime minister Mir Hazar Khan Khoso on Wednesday before meeting Sharif on Thursday.
Li will address a special session of the Pakistani senate, the upper house of parliament, and the two sides are expected to sign memorandums of understanding on economic, energy and science issues.
Earlier, on arrival a very warm welcome was accorded to Chinese Premier. Six fighters of the Pakistan Air Force, escorted the special Air China Boeing 747 aircraft of the Chinese Premier as it entered the Pakistan air space.
The JF-17s, a symbol of deep Sino-Pakistan friendship, guided the aircraft of the Chinese dignitary to the Nur Khan Air Base, where a 21-gun salute heralded his arrival.
President Asif Ali Zardari, caretaker Prime Minister Mir Hazar Khan Khoso, Services Chiefs and ministers of the caretaker setup greeted the Chinese dignitary and his delegation.
National anthems of the two countries were played and the Chinese Premier was presented a salute. He reviewed guard of honour of a contingent comprising the three services.
A red carpet was rolled out and children waving flags of Pakistan and China greeted the dignitary.(AFP/APP)
Courtesy www.geo.tv