The new Chinese premier, Li Keqiang will arrive here on May 22 on a two-day trip, which is part of his first foreign visit that would also take him to India, Switzerland and Germany.
“The Chinese premier will visit Pakistan from 22 to 23 May at the invitation of President Asif Ali Zardari,” said Foreign Office spokesman Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry on Monday.
Another Pakistani diplomat, who sought anonymity said, “The Chinese leader is also likely to meet the would-be prime minister Nawaz Sharif.”
China has already congratulated Pakistan on its smooth general elections and pledged continued and firm support to its friendly nation.
“China is glad to see that Pakistan’s general election has been smoothly held,” Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hong Lei said at a daily press briefing.
A Pakistani diplomat here said it was going to be a very important visit by the Chinese leader to Pakistan during which he would discuss with President Zardari and the new Pakistani leadership ways to enhance ties in defence, economic, energy and other important sectors.
China and Pakistan have been cooperating with each in the field of civilian nuclear technology and Beijing has helped Pakistan in building some nuclear power reactors to meet its ever growing energy requirements.
“Pakistani leadership would seek more cooperation from China in the field of power and energy given the present dire energy situation in the country and we expect that Chinese leadership would oblige their old and time-tested friends,” the diplomat said.
The Foreign Office spokesman, said, “It is the first visit of Li Keqiang to Pakistan after becoming the prime minister of the People’s Republic of China.”
He said, “The visit takes place immediately after the democratic elections in Pakistan. It will provide an opportunity to Premier Li to meet the new leadership in Pakistan. The visit also provides further impetus to our strategic relations.”
Aizaz said, “These friendly ties and the friendship with China is the cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy. The government and people of Pakistan look forward to the visit of Premier Li Keqiang. A warm welcome awaits him.”
Another Pakistani diplomat when contacted said Pakistan and China relations were now more broad-based adding that those ties had greater depth with strategic dimensions and were no longer confined only to defence and diplomacy.
Wishing not to be named, he said, “Pakistan and China are now cooperating in the fields of economy, energy, culture, education and they were also working together against the menace of terrorism. Both the countries have also been holding regular joint counter-terrorism military exercises.”