Zardari arrives in China on five-day visit

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday arrived in Beijing on a five-day official visit to China at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Chinese Finance Minister Lan Fo’an, Pakistan’s Ambassador to China Khalil Hashmi, and China’s Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong welcomed President Zardari on his arrival at Beijing International Airport. He was accompanied by a delegation comprising Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Senator Saleem Mandviwala and Dr Asim Hussain. The president will hold meetings with President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang and other senior Chinese political leaders in Beijing. The president’s visit to China holds significance to further strengthen the Pakistan-China relations besides helping to enhance bilateral trade and commerce ties. During the meetings, the two sides will discuss matters of mutual interest, including the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, regional connectivity and security cooperation. On the special invitation of the Chinese government, President Zardari will attend the inaugural ceremony of the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin, Heilongjiang province. Before President Zardari, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, Senior Minister Sharjeel Memon and Provincial Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah arrived in China. Pakistani embassy officials at Beijing airport welcomed Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah, Senior Minister Sharjeel Memon and Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah. The Sindh government delegation will discuss joint ventures in agriculture, energy, transport, infrastructure and technology.