China-Eurasia Expo: President to visit China, Tajikistan next week

ISLAMABAD:

President Asif Ali Zardari will visit China from August 30 to September 1 to participate in the China-Eurasia Expo being held in Urumqi, foreign office spokesperson Tehmina Janjua said on Thursday.

She said that the president would meet Chinese Vice Premier Li Kequang in Urumqi. President Zardari will also meet leaders from the Chinese corporate sector, she added.

“The visit of President Zardari is aimed at strengthening business-to-business linkages between the two countries,” she said. A Pakistani pavilion is being set up at the expo which will also be visited by President Zardari.

The president will also visit Tajikistan on September 1 and 2 at the invitation of President Emomali Rahmov. The two leaders will hold talks on regional and international issues, the spokesperson said.

President Zardari will also attend the third quadrilateral summit between Pakistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and Russia in Dushanbe on September 2. The first two summits were held in Dushanbe and Sochi, Russia.

The quadrilateral summit will focus on matters of regional connectivity, energy projects, trade, peace and stability in the region. Besides, matters relating to the Afghan reconciliation process, anti-terrorism efforts, drug-trafficking and organised crimes will also be discussed, the spokesperson said.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 26^th,  2011.