Chinese PM Li Keqiang arrives today on landmark visit

Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang will be arriving in Islamabad today (Wednesday) on a two-day landmark visit.

It is Keqiang’s first visit to Pakistan after assuming charge as the prime minister and he would be accorded a warm welcome by the Pakistani government.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Justice (r) Mir Hazar Khan Khoso will receive Prime Minister Keqiang.

Six JF-17 thunder fighters of the Pakistan Air Force will escort the Chinese premier’s aircraft after its entry into the Pakistani airspace.

The JF-17s will guide the special Air China Boeing 747 aircraft to the Nur Khan Air Base, where a 21-gun salute will herald its arrival.

The visit is taking place immediately after the general elections in Pakistan. It will provide an opportunity to the Chinese premier to meet the newly-elected political leadership in the country.

On the eve of his visit, the Chinese premier hinted at his government’s likely initiatives for increasing imports from Pakistan, stating that “China takes its trade imbalance with Pakistan seriously and is taking measures to address the issue as there is great potential to be tapped in their economic cooperation”.

“Pakistan’s export to China last year increased by nearly 50 percent. China is Pakistan’s second largest trading partner and fourth largest export market. Steady progress has been made in their cooperation in energy, infrastructure, telecommunications and financial sectors,” he added.

The Chinese premier will be accompanied by Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Minister for Commerce Gao Hucheng and National Development Reform Commission Chairman Xu Shaoshi.

After his arrival today, the Chinese premier will meet President Zardari at the Presidency. Then he will hold talks with the president and the prime minister after which there will be a joint press stakeout. Prime Minister Khoso will host a banquet for the Chinese prime minister in the evening. Keqiang will also be conferred upon the highest award of Nishan-e-Pakistan.

He will also hold a joint meeting with the Senate chairman and the National Assembly speaker and will also address the Senate. Leaders of the political parties will also call upon the visiting Chinese prime minister.

On May 23, PML-N President Nawaz Sharif will call on the Chinese premier. He will also visit the Pakistan-China friendship Centre with Prime Minister Khoso and is also scheduled to plant a tree in Shakarparian.

Prime Minister Khoso will bid farewell to the Chinese premier on Thursday and the six JF-17s will again escort the dignitary until the aerial limits of Pakistan.

Premier Keqiang’s visit will mark yet another important step forward in reinforcing the strategic partnership between the two countries and open up new avenues for bilateral cooperation.

In an earlier interview with the Pakistani media, the Chinese prime minister said, “When it comes to Pakistan, the first word that comes to the mind of the Chinese is ‘iron brother’. To us, the Chinese, Pakistan is always a trustworthy friend who is as solid as iron.”

“Actually, the Chinese refer to Pakistan as Iron Pak. This testifies to the strength of China-Pakistan friendship. In 1986, I led a youth delegation to Pakistan. Wherever we went, in Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi, we were greeted with rapturous welcome. The petals showering on us and brightly smiling faces are still fresh in my memory, as if it happened only yesterday. I will never forget the goodwill of the Pakistani people,” he added.