Islamabad, Oct 14: Chinese Premier Visits Pakistan for the First Time in 11 Years. Li Qiang, the premier of the State Council of China, was welcomed with open arms on Monday as he came for a four-day bilateral visit to meet with Pakistan’s military and civil leadership and attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s (SCO) Council of the Heads of Government.
He is joined by a high-level team that includes top officials and ministers from the China International Development Cooperation Agency, the National Development and Reform Commission, and the ministries of trade and foreign affairs.
It has been eleven years since a Chinese prime minister last traveled to Pakistan. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, other members of the federal cabinet, and high-ranking government officials greeted Premier Li warmly as he arrived at the airport.
A 21-gun salute in the background signaled the dignitary’s arrival, and two children dressed in traditional Pakistani attire gave him bouquets. The dignitary was saluted by Pakistan’s military’s static guards.
Banners with slogans illustrating the long-standing bilateral connections and the flags of China and Pakistan were displayed along the Chinese Premier’s motorcade route and at other key crossroads in the federal capital.
A guard of honor will be presented when the Chinese premier meets Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the PM House later. To address all facets of Pakistan-China relations, including trade and economic ties as well as cooperation under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the two prime ministers will meet at the delegation level.
Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) will be signed by both parties to enhance bilateral cooperation, including CPEC-II and other large-scale initiatives. Additionally, the Gwadar International Airport will be digitally inaugurated by the Chinese premier.
In addition to attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s Council of the Heads of Government Meeting in Islamabad from October 15–16, Premier Li will also visit President Asif Ali Zardari and meet with Pakistan’s parliamentary and senior military leaders.
