ISALAMABAD, Nov 19: Preparations are under way in the federal capital to welcome Chinese President Hu Jintao on his arrival here on Thursday.Pakistan gives top priority to the Nov 23-26 visit of the Chinese leader and hopes that the visit will usher in a new era in bilateral relations.

The high-profile state visit is likely to convey a strong message to the world that the two countries are bound together with unswerving bonds of friendship, keeping a joint stance on various issues of common concern to meet new challenges.

Referring to the Chinese leader’s visit, diplomatic sources said that President Hu Jintao’s talks with President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz next week will be highly significant for reinforcement of their strong commitment to work together as traditional allies in all fields of mutual interest.

The talks are expected to give a new turn to their bilateral cooperation, since the two sides wish to lay greater emphasis on their trade and economic ties. The visit will be a continuation of regular consultation and contacts between the two countries at the highest level.

Most recent visit to Pakistan was by Premier Wen Jiabao, during which a landmark ‘Treaty of Friendship’ was signed. The treaty was unanimously endorsed by the Chinese parliament in June 2006.

Official sources said that the friendship treaty reinforced the commitment of the two countries to help each other safeguarding their territorial integrity.

According to the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, China and Pakistan agreed on greater market access and ‘basically wrapped up’ negotiations on a free trade agreement. The agreement is expected to be signed on Nov 24.

China and Pakistan have conducted five rounds of talks since last April, with the latest round ending on Friday.—APP