Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in Pakistan

Published May 22, 2013
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (C), flanked by Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari (L) and caretaker premier Mir Hazar Khan Khoso (centre R) is welcomed by hostesses bearing Chinese flags upon his arrival at Pakistan's Nur Khan air base in Rawalpindi on May 22, 2013. — AFP Photo
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (C), flanked by Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari (L) and caretaker premier Mir Hazar Khan Khoso (centre R) is welcomed by hostesses bearing Chinese flags upon his arrival at Pakistan's Nur Khan air base in Rawalpindi on May 22, 2013. — AFP Photo
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang steps down from his plane upon arrival at Pakistan's Nur Khan air base in Rawalpindi on May 22, 2013.— AFP Photo
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang steps down from his plane upon arrival at Pakistan's Nur Khan air base in Rawalpindi on May 22, 2013.— AFP Photo
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (L), flanked by Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari (2nd R), receives flowers upon his arrival at the Pakistan's Nur Khan air base in Rawalpindi on May 22, 2013. — AFP Photo
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (L), flanked by Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari (2nd R), receives flowers upon his arrival at the Pakistan's Nur Khan air base in Rawalpindi on May 22, 2013. — AFP Photo
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (C, in black) inspects a guard of honour during a welcoming ceremony at Nur Khan air base in Rawalpindi on May 22, 2013. — AFP Photo
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (C, in black) inspects a guard of honour during a welcoming ceremony at Nur Khan air base in Rawalpindi on May 22, 2013. — AFP Photo
A soldier and police officer gesture as they secure the area and clear the roads before the motorcade of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang passes by in Islamabad May 22, 2013. — Reuters Photo
A soldier and police officer gesture as they secure the area and clear the roads before the motorcade of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang passes by in Islamabad May 22, 2013. — Reuters Photo

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang vowed to strengthen his country's partnership with Pakistan as he arrived on May 22 for a visit less than two weeks after the country's general election. The long-time allies will look to use the two-day trip to boost trade ties, and Li will meet prime minister-elect Nawaz Sharif - who has not yet been sworn in - as well as holding talks with senior officials.

China and Pakistan should make cooperation on power generation a priority, Li said, as Islamabad seeks to end an energy crisis that triggers power cuts of up to 20 hours a day, bringing the economy to a near standstill. Li arrived in the Pakistan capital on Wednesday on the second leg of his first official trip since taking office in March after a visit to Pakistan's and China's arch rival, India.

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