DTN News - CHINESE PREMIER LI KEQIANG IN PAKISTAN: Li Keqiang Begins Pakistan Visit And Pledges Stronger Partnership
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - May 22, 2013: Chinese Premier Li Keqiang vowed to strengthen his country's partnership with Pakistan as he arrived Wednesday for a visit less than two weeks after the country's general election.
The long-time allies will look to use the two-day trip to boost trade ties, and Li will meet prime minister-elect Nawaz Sharif - who has not yet been sworn in - as well as holding talks with senior officials.
Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) party swept to victory in the May 11 general election on a promise to revitalise the struggling economy. Help from its giant northern neighbour will be important to this.
Trade between China and Pakistan hit an annual US$12 billion for the first time last year, according to Islamabad's foreign ministry, and the two sides plan to raise this to US$15 billion in the next two to three years.
Li, arriving from India on his first overseas tour as premier, was met by President Asif Ali Zardari on the tarmac at Nur Khan air base in Rawalpindi next to Islamabad.
"The purpose of the visit is to devise a strategy to bolster future cooperation and friendship," Li said in a statement quoted by state broadcaster PTV.
"We will strengthen a strategic partnership with Pakistan in whatever the international scenario and circumstances are."
The Chinese premier will hold talks with Zardari and caretaker prime minister Mir Hazar Khan Khoso on Wednesday before meeting Sharif on Thursday.
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