- FO spox says the visit is aimed at strengthening the strategic partnership between Pak and China.
- Both sides will review political, economic and strategic ties, says FO.
- Prime Minister Shehbaz is chairing the business conference between Pakistan and China, adds FO spox.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will pay an official visit to China from May 23 to 26, Foreign Ministry spokesman Tahir Hussain Andrabi said on Friday.
During a weekly press briefing, the spokesman said the prime minister is visiting the brotherly country at the invitation of the government of the People’s Republic of China.
During the visit, Prime Minister Shehbaz will hold important meetings with Chinese leadership, including President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, Andrabi added.
The Prime Minister will also chair a Pakistan-China Business-to-Business conference and attend a reception ceremony in Beijing.
Andrabi said the visit will play an important role in further strengthening the strategic partnership between the two countries.
“The visit will provide an opportunity to reaffirm the enduring strength of the Pakistan-China strategic partnership in all weathers and promote a shared vision of building an even closer Pakistan-China community with a shared future,” Andrabi said.
“The two sides will review bilateral relations, cooperation in political, economic and strategic fields,” the spokesman added.
He said Pakistan and China have recently marked the end of 75 years of diplomatic relations with celebrations at the official level. Andrabi added that both countries have supported each other in every difficult time for the past 75 years.
The spokesman said the relationship has expanded beyond diplomacy to strong partnerships in trade, industry, education and people-to-people contacts.
Andrabi said that on the occasion of 75 years of diplomatic relations, Pakistan and China reaffirm their “eternal friendship” and commitment to further strengthen bilateral cooperation.
A day earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz said that China has consistently stood with Pakistan with steadfast support through thick and thin and the friendship between the two countries has grown stronger over time.
“China has stood like a rock with Pakistan in every difficult time,” Prime Minister Shehbaz said while speaking in Islamabad, which was held on Thursday to mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China.
He recalled that Pakistan was the first Islamic country to recognize China and added that the event celebrating Chinese friendship was a source of great joy.
Separately, the government has decided to issue a commemorative Rs 75 coin to mark the 75th anniversary. The coin will be available to the public from May 25 through the exchange counters of SBP Banking Services Corporation field offices. Pakistan and China formally established diplomatic relations on 21 May 1951.
