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

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
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