ISLAMABAD – Chinese Premier Li Qiang arrived in Islamabad on Monday for a four-day visit to Pakistan at the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The Pakistani PM received the Chinese counterpart at Nur Khan Airbase. A twenty-one-gun salute was presented to the visiting dignitary as he alighted from the plane.
This is the first visit of any Chinese Premier to Pakistan after eleven years.
After arriving in Pakistan, Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang shared a message wherein he expressed his happiness about attending the 23rd meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Heads of Government and visiting Pakistan.
The Chinese premier stated that as soon as he disembarked from the plane, he was warmly welcomed. He was impressed by the deep brotherly friendship and hospitality of the Pakistani people. He noted that Pakistan is an important developing country, an emerging market, and a major Muslim nation, while also being China’s all-weather strategic cooperative partner and iron friend.
Li Qiang further said that the Chinese people have great affection and appreciation for Pakistan. Over the 73 years, both countries have maintained steadfast trust and supported each other, making China-Pakistan relations an exemplary model of bilateral state relations.
