Chinese PM to visit Pakistan as Beijing welcomes Nawaz Sharif's victory

BEIJING/ISLAMABAD: China's new Premier Li Keqiang will visit Islamabad next week to meet Pakistan's new leadership to give further impetus to the strategic ties between the two "all-weather" allies.

Congratulating PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif on his election victory, China today said Li's visit to Pakistan will seek to reinforce bilateral ties with its long-time strategic ally.

Li's two-day visit from May 22-23 comes at the invitation of President Asif Ali Zardari. It will be Li's first visit to Islamabad after becoming premier in March and comes at a time when Pakistan has held its landmark general elections.

Li will be among the first foreign dignitaries to hold talks with Sharif, who rode to power for the third time.

"China is happy to see the smooth completion of elections in Pakistan. Initial results show that PML-N attained good results. China welcomes that and expresses congratulations," Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei told media briefing here.

"As an all-weather partner China will continue to support Pakistan's efforts for stability and development. We are also willing to work with Pakistani side to push China-Pakistan strategic partnership of cooperation to higher level," he said.

Li will be visiting Pakistan after completing his three-day visit to India starting from May 19.

His visiting India ahead of Pakistan is not new as former Premier Wen Jiabao had also done so in the past to send a message that Beijing looks to forge close ties with New Delhi while trying to retain its strategic linkages with Islamabad, specially with the military.

Hong said Li will hold talks with President Asif Ali Zardari and others to discuss bilateral relations and other issues of mutual interests.

"He will also make a speech on the China-Pak relations and reach out to all sections of Pakistani society. We believe this visit will push China-Pak relations to a new high," he said.

Earlier in Islamabad, Pakistan Foreign Office spokesman Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry said, "A warm welcome awaits him (Li)."

The visit will provide the Chinese premier an opportunity to meet the new leadership in Pakistan, Chaudhary said in a statement.