Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif being received by China's vice foreign minister Zhai Jun in Beijing. PHOTO: APP
Nawaz, on his maiden trip abroad after being elected as prime minister last month, will discuss issues relating to trade investment and bilateral cooperation with his Chinese counterpart.
Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said that energy and infrastructure development are high on the agenda of the Prime Minister's visit to China.
According to the official statement from the government, the significant feature of the premier’s visit is that, both the premiers will hold a second meeting within a span of less than two months.
Terror could be another of the topics of discussion with Chinese mountaineers being killed in Pakistan late last month while trying to scale the Nanga Parbat, the second highest peak in Pakistan. China had earlier in the week also lashed out at foreign powers trying to stoke militancy in China's Xinjiang.
Premier Li Keqiaang during his visit to Islamabad in May this year had invited Nawaz Sharif to visit China.
Earlier, Prime Minister Nawaz and first lady Kulsoom Nawaz were accorded a warm welcome when they arrived at the Beijing Capital International airport.
At the Airport, two children attired in traditional dress presented bouquet to Prime Minister and first lady Begum Kulsoom Nawaz as they came out from the plane.
Chinese Vice-Foreign Minister Zhai Jun welcomed the Prime Minister and his entourage. Pakistan’s Ambassador to China Masood Khalid and senior diplomats of Pakistan Embassy and officials from Chinese government were also present on the occasion.
A smartly dressed contingent of the three services of People’s Liberation Army presented guard of honour to Nawaz.
Nawaz is accompanied by Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal, Advisor on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatimi on the five day tour.
Two provincial chief ministers, Balochistan’s Abdul Malik and Punjab’s Shahbaz Sharif have also joined the premier on the trip. The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has a majority government in Punjab and a coalition government in Balochistan.
Correction: In an earlier version of the article, Masood Khalid's name was written as "Masood Khan". The error is regretted.
COMMENTS (34)
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@ Aschraful Makhlooq "gp65: @Hmm: What’s wrong with you Indians? Sir, I can assure you there is nothing wrong with us Indians...had there been something wrong with us. we would have been knocking at every door for a few dollars more :) cheers and peace !
In Many countries including USA the foreign leaders are met at the airport by department of state officials. The official welcome is at the presidency in case of China it will be at Great Peoples hall.
@gp65: @Hmm: What's wrong with you Indians? This is not the matter that who welcomed you and who not and how much but the real matter is how much China is sincere and honest with Pakistan and how many times China fulfilled its commitments and promises with Pakistan and how many times China fulfilled its comradeship in all-seasons and under any circumstances with Pakistan when US and India tried their best and utmost to take the disadvantages of their fake and nominal friendship and misused their authorities and powers but China proved its comradeship selfless and without any hidden and furtive negative objectives of any kinds????
@Pakistani Ostrich: "If china can not do any of these, then our politicians and generals should stop wasting our money on trips to china, which seems to be happening every few months." +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Why is it that all Pakistani relationships are purely transactional disguised as strategic?
"Visiting friends: Nawaz lands in China to talk energy, trade" +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ If all he wanted to talk, he could have used free Skype!
Best of luck, Mr. Prime Minister.
For the record, the name of Pakistan's ambassador to China is Masood KHALID -- not Masood Khan.
I wish best of luck to NS. I hope in return for giving chinese free ride to gwadar and our natural resources, china provides $1billion+ for financing IPI and also a $5billion loan at low/no interest so we can free ourselves from clutches of US/West and the IMF! Building the hydro-electric dams and nuclear power plants is a long-term solution to our power woes, but IPI can be beneficial right away as iran has already completed their part of the pipeline. If china can not do any of these, then our politicians and generals should stop wasting our money on trips to china, which seems to be happening every few months.
@vbc:
". Just look the latest visit by S. Korea President whom was received by the same Vice Minister in the airport."
True. But, what other posters are pointing out is that Pakistan went overboard on the Chinese PM visit what with the J17 escort, Pak president, PM and all top leaders at the airport.
Having said that, let me also point out that, standard protocol notwithstanding, in Indian civilization and culture (most Pakistanis are part of it), it is cultural to treat a guest with extra courtesy and respect.
@vbc: "You read too much into the protocol of airport receiving. It is standard for China to send Vice Minister in the airport to receive honorable guest then follow up with formal welcome ceremony somewhere else. Just look the latest visit by S. Korea President whom was received by the same Vice Minister in the airport."
What China did was standard and would not have been cause for comment if Pakistan had not received Chinese premier with fighter jets, had President and interim PM not gone to receive him and present him the highest civilian award of the nation on arrival.
Hope he has gone with bags of crazy ideas and new projects for the Chinese, but the "proof is in eating the pudding" ! Don't expect too much, as the Chinese may not be interested in any of the hare brain projects ! There are warehouses full of MOU's that were signed over past few years, gathering dust in Pakistan.
My reading is that it is a low key visit to confirm that China and Pakistan stand together on one turf in international relations . India is the spoiler and the Americans future is to maintain friendly and cordial relations with Pakisani leaders to know about the thinking of Chinese leadership! American PRISM system does not work in China!! They have as in the past relied on Pakisani leadership contacts with the chinese.
Rex Mnor
We lost respect and dignity among our friends,do watch General Ayub visit to USA and how Kennedy Welcomed him so proud of him.RIP
You read too much into the protocol of airport receiving. It is standard for China to send Vice Minister in the airport to receive honorable guest then follow up with formal welcome ceremony somewhere else. Just look the latest visit by S. Korea President whom was received by the same Vice Minister in the airport.
@Shan: Pakistan greeted Chinese prime minister with fighter escort,Pakistan president zardari and acting prime minister welcomed the guest in airport.Also awarding him Nishan pakistan. But in return, received no fighter escort nor even a Chinese foreign minister attended(Forget president or prime minister of china).Looks like an insult…
Chinese are not Americans who will give billions of dollars of Zakat to Pakistan for nothing.
People of pakistan concerns regarding the reception are valid and there must be some pondering over it by the nation. Our all weather friend has also treated our pm with no protocol.
@azhar zahoor: People in pakistan are dying of hunger and povertg and you say this is being diplomatic. Curse such leaders who live a luxury life at the expense of state.
@gp65:
The Chinese reception of Sharif by some low level official stands in stark contrast to Pakistan's big show for the Chinese PM. You forgot to mention the fighter jet escort.
@waseem for God sake, she is the first lady of Pakistan , they always (as a matter of protocol,eg for official dinners etc) travel with heads of state on official visits be it USA or Rwanda. and KIDS, PM entourage always travels on charterd flights..... have a life and stop criricizing everything , PTI certainly has made a lot bitter people...... @shah mehmood see who received Indian PM n US president on chinese visit , it wasnt even the vice foreign minister !! please learn diplomatic protocols and then better chennel ur frustrations on better issues !
Its looks like Nawaz is on honey moon trip to china with his wife.This shows the importance of his visit and preferences.
Pakistan greated chinese prime minister with fighter escort,Pakistan president zardari and acting prime minister welcomed the guest in airport.Also awarding him Nishan pakistan. But in return, recived no fighter escort nor even a chinese foreign minister attended(Forget president or prime minister of china).Looks like an insult...
Dear indians dont be jealous with Pak-China Friendship.
Mr pm if effort to the country out of mess is admirable. We pray for your success.
and what Kulsoom has to do in China? Poor country needs to save from all corners, right?
bring home civil nuclear power or de-scale level of friendship.
Is that Mrs. Galsoom Nawaz in the picture? If it is so, it is really sad to see these politicians spend state money like this thinking they 'own' the state.
Wish you all the best.
I hope PM's visit to People's Republic of China will bear fruitful results for Pakistan.
What a friendship! One friend receives the Premier with Jets in air and the Other one, not even a Foreign Minister but a 'VICE Foreign Minister'
Vice-Foreign minister receives the PM of a country...Just see your reputation and personality.
"Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif being received by China's vice foreign minister Zhai Jun in Beijing"
our PM is being received bu vice foreign minister not even by foreign minister... how low we will go...
Sixty five years of sky high, sea deep friendship, but alas one friend has gone down with all the diseases. Want a final and strong dose of medicine.