Pakistan

Chinese ambassador meets army chief to discuss President Xi's visit

Chinese president likely to visit Pakistan in March to attend joint military parade on Pakistan Day

Our Correspondent February 23, 2015

RAWALPINDI: The ambassador of China to Pakistan met Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif on Monday to discuss President Xi Jinping's visit to Pakistan in March, sources said.

According to a press release issued by the Inter Services Public Relation (ISPR), Chinese ambassador Sun Weidong called on the at General Headquarters and "discussed matters of mutual interest". Sources, however, have suggested that the Chinese president's visit to Pakistan was discussed.

President Xi is likely to visit Pakistan in March to attend the joint military parade on Pakistan Day, although the visit is kept under wraps for security reasons.

Earlier in the month, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi confirmed President Xi Jinping would be making his first state visit to Pakistan within the next few months and expressed appreciation for the profound friendship it has developed with Pakistan over the years.

Read: Xi Jinping to make first state visit to Pakistan soon, says Chinese foreign minister

The Chinese president was initially supposed to visit Pakistan in August last year but due to security threats he was unable to do so.

China has also offered to facilitate a peace deal between the Afghan government and the Taliban in a move that suggests Beijing seeks a greater role in the country post the withdrawal of US and Nato forces.

Read: Wang Yi in Islamabad: Beijing offers to assist Afghan reconciliation

COMMENTS (6)

Talking Point | 9 years ago | Reply @Kam: Inspite of the show pieces flaunted , the country and people are tottering from week to week not knowing where the next bomber would press his button. What good is winning a battle if you cannot win a war? Yes who would forget your superman army which even abandoned claiming its own dead soldiers after sending in into India in civilian clothes. Not to speak of having OBL in its own backyard and yet not knowing about it or the watching the skies policy with thousands of drones targetting Pak area. Brave indeed that one of your Generals is now on the ECL and branded a terrorist within his own country. Just because you have a corrupt civilian leadership, it does not mean you hand over power to an army. All those who speak against your army get picked up and are shown as missing persons. What a national shame that even a part split during 1971 is doing better than you . If ever you need a badge of honour , it should have 1971 embossed on it.

Kam | 9 years ago | Reply Nice Points. But why dont you look at it differently. Military dictators were also more corrupt. How do you think Musharraf is able to live in London in a posh area? Azad Kashmir that you call today, has compensated with India`s Loss of Kashmir with large areas lost in Punjab to India. Kargil is victory? Not an inch of land of is gained and the loss of 5500 troops? For what? India lost only around 700 troops.