Chinese Premier Li Keqiang was accorded a red carpet welcome as he arrived here on Wednesday on a two-day maiden visit to “iron brother” Pakistan for talks on bilateral and regional issues focusing economic cooperation.
President Asif Ali Zardari and caretaker Prime Minister Mir Hazar Khan Khoso received the Chinese Premier on arrival at a military airbase near Islamabad. Li was presented a 19-gun salute and a guard of honour at the Islamabad Noor Khan Base, where all three services chiefs, high level civil, military officials, diplomats and ministers were present on the occasion.
57-year-old Li is accompanied by a high powered delegation which includes Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Gao Hucheng, Minister for Commerce and Xu Shaoshi, Chairman of National Development Reform Commission, high ranking officials and leaders of corporate sector.
Li will meet President Zardari who will host a luncheon for him at the Presidency later today.
The Chinese Premier will also hold talks with the caretaker Prime Minister after which there will be a joint press stakeout. The Prime Minister will host a banquet for Li in the evening.
Li will be presented Pakistan’s highest civilian award ‘Nishan-e-Pakistan’. Premier Li will also 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, the Foreign Ministry said. Prime Minister-designate Nawaz Sharif will call on him tomorrow.
Many important Agreements and MoUs in the fields of economy, Science and Technology, Space & Upper Atmosphere communication and energy would be signed during the visit of the Chinese Premier, the Foreign Ministry said. All these and other agreements are aimed at further strengthening our bilateral relations and improving the well being of the two people, it said.
Li yesterday lauded Pakistan, saying “When it comes to Pakistan, the first word that comes to the mind of the Chinese is “iron brother”. Premier Li will also visit the Pakistan-China friendship Centre along-with Prime Minister Khoso and meet with Pakistani friends who have played a role in promoting Pakistan-China relations. He will also plant a tree at Islamabad’s scenic spot Shakarparian.
“The visit takes place immediately after the democratic elections in Pakistan. It will provide an opportunity to Premier Li to meet the new political leadership in Pakistan,” a Foreign ministry statement said. “Premier Li’s visit will also provide further impetus to our strategic cooperation. The friendly ties and the friendship with China is the cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy,” it said.
“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,” it said.
“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 USD 12 billion for the first time.
Both sides are committed to achieve a trade target of USD 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 USD 2 billion by 2012.
Premier Li’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, the Foreign Ministry added.
–PTI