First foreign trip: Chinese PM to visit Pakistan this month

Li Keqiang will meet President Zardari and incoming premier Nawaz Sharif.

ISLAMABAD:

New Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang will visit Pakistan later this month as a part of efforts to further strengthen bilateral ties between the two nations.

Li Keqiang, who became prime minister in March, will be visiting Islamabad on his first foreign trip since assuming office, said a statement issued on Monday by Pakistan’s foreign ministry.

According to the statement, the Chinese premier is due in Islamabad from May 22-23 at the invitation of President Asif Zardari.

The visit takes place following the first democratic transition in the country which has seen an unprecedented rise of the party headed by twice elected former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.

The Chinese premier is expected to meet the incoming prime minister, as well as President Zardari during his trip.

Commenting on the visit, the foreign ministry spokesman said, “The visit also provides further impetus to our strategic relations. The friendship with China is the cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy.”

Pakistan and China have enjoyed strong economic and political ties historically. The incoming prime minister, Nawaz Sharif, also promised to further cement ties with ‘long-term friend’ China.

China and Pakistan call each other ‘all-weather friends’ and their close ties have for decades been underpinned by a desire to hedge against US influence across the region.

The Chinese premier, on a weeklong overseas foray, is also expected to make stopovers in India, Switzerland and Germany.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 14^th, 2013.