Chinese Ambassador Sun Weidong called on Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif on Monday to discuss President Xi Jinping’s visit to Pakistan in March.
According to a press release issued by the Inter Services Public Relation (ISPR), Sun Weidong called on Gen Sharif at the General Headquarters and discussed matters of mutual interest. Sources, however, 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 being 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.
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.
