ISLAMABAD: Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said that whatsoever change happens in the international scenario, China will strengthen relations with Pakistan.
Li was speaking at the luncheon hosted in his honour by Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari while upcoming Prime Minister‚ PML-N leader Mian Nawaz Sharif and political leadership of the country was also present on the occasion.
Li clarified that he selected Pakistan for his official visit to give a open and loud message to the international community that Pakistan and China will always continue to flourish relations.
President Asif Ali Zardari has appreciated Chinese support for Pakistan sovereignty‚ territorial integrity and regardless of political out look every government has reinforced Pakistan’s relations with China.
Chinese premier vows long lasting relation with Pakistan to growth of development in all in all fields.
President Asif Ali Zardari conferred Nishan e Pakistan on the Chinese Prime Minister for his maritorious services for strengthening Pak-China relations.
The award ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Mir Hazar Khan Khoso‚ PML-N Chief Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and other political leaders.
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang arrived in Pakistan on Wednesday for a two-day visit to boost trade ties with the long-time ally and will also meet prime minister-elect Nawaz Sharif on Thursday.
Trade between China and Pakistan hit a 12-month figure of $12 billion for the first time last year, according to Islamabad, up 18 percent on the previous year, and the two sides are committed to raising this to $15 billion in the next two to three years.
Earlier Updates
hinese Premier Li Keqiang arrives in Pakistan Wednesday for a two-day visit where he will meet prime minister-elect Nawaz Sharif as the long-time allies look to boost trade ties.
The symbol of deep Sino-Pakistan friendship, JF-17 jet fighters guided the special Air China Boeing 747 aircraft of the Chinese dignitary to the Nur Khan Air Base.
Security tightened in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad on his visit while Pakistan Army is deployed in the cities to perform security duties on this event.
Mobile service has been closed in both cities to avoid any security issue during Li’s visit, services will be resumed at 2:00pm.
Li Keqiang received warm welcome from President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Mir Hazar Khan Khoso while top military leadership including chief of army staff, chief of naval staff, chief of air staff and other cabinet members were present at the airport.
The Chinese PM was given a guard of honour on his arrival.
Trade between China and Pakistan hit a 12-month figure of $12 billion for the first time last year, according to Islamabad, up 18 percent on the previous year, and the two sides are committed to raising this to $15 billion in the next two to three years.
Li, on his first overseas tour as premier, will hold talks with President Asif Ali Zardari and Pakistan’s caretaker prime minister Mir Hazar Khan Khoso before meeting Sharif on Thursday.
Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) party swept to victory in the May 11 general election on a promise to revitalise Pakistan’s struggling economy and help from its giant neighbour to the north will be important to this.
Pakistan’s former ambassador to the United States Tariq Fatemi said the visit was crucial in drawing up the economic roadmap for the incoming government.
“Normally foreign visitors don’t go to countries during the interim setups, but China has recognised that the visit to Pakistan is necessary even at this stage and that is why they have organised a separate one-on-one meeting with Nawaz Sharif,” Fatemi told AFP.
The PML-N faces a daunting array of problems: bloody Islamist militancy, sluggish economic growth, high inflation, a crumbling currency, the threat of a balance of payments crisis and crippling electricity shortages.
There are an estimated 10,000 Chinese people and more than 120 Chinese companies in Pakistan, many working on infrastructure and energy projects. Beijing built two nuclear power plants there and is contracted to construct two more reactors.
In February Beijing also took control of Pakistan’s strategic port of Gwadar, which through an expanded Karakoram Highway could connect China to the Arabian Sea and Strait of Hormuz, a gateway for a third of the world’s traded oil.
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.
Li arrives in Pakistan after a visit to arch-rival India, where he promised to open China’s vast domestic market wider to India and forge a “dynamic trade balance” with the South Asian giant.
After Pakistan, Li’s tour takes him to Europe, where he will visit Switzerland, with which China is negotiating a free trade agreement, and Germany, its largest European trading partner.
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