October 10, 2008	Friday	Shawwal 10, 1429

BEIJING, Oct 9: President Asif Ali Zardari will visit China next week to hold talks with his counterpart Hu Jintao, China’s foreign ministry announced on Thursday.

“This will be President Zardari’s first visit to China since becoming president. We will welcome him warmly,” foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang told journalists.

During his October 14-17 visit, Zardari will also hold meetings with Prime Minister Wen Jiabao and China’s parliamentary head Wu Bangguo, Qin said.

“We hope that this visit will deepen the strategic partnership between China and Pakistan,” Qin said.—AFP