ISLAMABAD: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi arrived here on Friday on a three-day trip during which he will hold meetings with the new leadership in Pakistan.

The visiting foreign minister, who is accompanied by three other cabinet colleagues, would meet Prime Minister Imran Khan, outgoing pre­si­dent Mamnoon Hussain, National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser and Chief of the Army Staff Gen Qamar Bajwa, besides holding a meeting with his counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi. He is also likely to meet President-elect Arif Alvi.

Emphasising the significance of Mr Wang’s visit, the Foreign Office spokesman said, it is the “first official visit by a Chinese dignitary since the new government was formed in Pakistan”.

Mr Wang in his talks with the Pakistani leadership would discuss the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, Afghan peace process and regional security.

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying said: “Our two sides will exchange views on bilateral relations and the international and regional issues of mutual interest”.

She hoped that the “two countries, through this visit, can renew our traditional friendship, promote mutually beneficial cooperation in various areas and elevate the China-Pakistan all-weather strategic cooperative partnership to a new high”.

Published in Dawn, September 8th, 2018