Welcome visit: Chinese president likely to arrive next week

Xi Jinping expected to inaugurate Pakistan-China Economic Corridor

ISLAMABAD: Chinese President Xi Jinping is likely to arrive in Pakistan next week for a two-day visit that will help the two neighbouring countries to deepen their economic and strategic ties.

Although there is no official announcement yet, the Chinese president is likely to visit on April 9, officials told The Express Tribune on the condition of anonymity on Wednesday.

During his two-day visit, the Chinese president will have wide-range of talks with top Pakistani civil and military leadership. He is also expected to inaugurate the multibillion-dollar Pakistan-China Economic Corridor, which is dubbed a strategic project to cement economic and trade ties between the two countries.

The visit is significant as important developments are unfolding both in the region and on the international front. The two sides will share their views on the current situation in Afghanistan as recently China showed its interest and even offered to mediate a peace deal between the Afghan government and the Taliban.

The issue of Yemen will also come up for discussion between the Pakistani and Chinese leaders.

The sought-after visit was originally scheduled to take place in August last year but was delayed due to political unrest in the country as a result of unprecedented protest sit-ins by supporters of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) in front of the Parliament House.

Earlier, there were reports that President Xi Jinping could attend the Pakistan Day parade on March 23.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 2^nd, 2015.