Chinese vice premier to visit Pakistan for Independence Day celebrations

ISLAMABAD: A high-level Chinese delegation led by Vice Premier Wang Yang will visit Pakistan to take part in the country's Independence Day celebrations, officials said today.

The foreign ministry said Wang's two-day visit from August 13 comes on the "directions of President Xi Jinping as a special gesture" for Pakistan's 70th Independence Day on August 14.

As a member of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the Communist Party, Wang is among the top leaders in China.

"His visit on this important milestone for Pakistan is a reflection of the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership between Pakistan and China," the ministry said.

Wang will attend the flag-hoisting ceremony on August 14 as a "special guest", and call on Pakistan President Mamnoon Hussain. He will also call on the new Prime Minister, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, according to a statement from the ministry.

He will then participate in the inauguration ceremony of projects related to the $50 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

Some bilateral agreements are also expected to be signed during his visit.

In March, a contingent of the guard of honour of the three services of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) took part in the Pakistan military parade held in Islamabad to mark Pakistan Day.