Search the Internet          Tips

Chinese premier leaves for Pakistan

Chinese premier Zhu Rongji left Beijing on Friday morning for an official visit to Pakistan at the start of a five-nation tour that will also take him to Nepal, Maldives, Sri Lanka and Thailand to enhance China's political and trade relations with them in the new millennium.

Zhu is expected to discuss with the leaders of these countries bilateral ties and regional and international issues of mutual concern, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said.

This is Zhu's first official visit to South Asia and the first prime ministerial visit from China to the region in 11 years.

Zhu's entourage includes among others, his wife Lao An, Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan and Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation Shi Guangsheng.

Zhu would be in Pakistan, considered to be China's closest ally, from May 11 to 14 during which he would meet the Pakistani leadership and take part in celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Beijing and Islamabad.

China and Pakistan are set to sign a number of mega projects that would allow Chinese investment to pour into the financially-stricken South Asian nation. It would also open up the market for Chinese goods and services.

Zhu would visit Nepal from May 14 to 16, Maldives from May 16 to 18, Sri Lanka from May 18 to 20 and Thailand from May 20 to 22.

PTI

ALSO SEE:
The President in China

Tell us what you think of this report