Chinese president meets Pakistani PM on advancing bilateral links

• Source: Xinhua
• [17:39 October 13 2009]
• Comments

During the current Beijing trip, Gilani met with Chinese officials in charge of overseas investment, coal mining and water conservation Tuesday morning.

During his visit, Gilani is scheduled to met with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Jia Qinglin, head of China's top political advisory body.

It was Gilani's first visit to China since becoming prime minister in March.

Gilani told reporters at airport upon leaving for China that the change of governments won't affect bilateral relations between Pakistan and China.

He said the two countries have brotherly relations, which were strengthened during the tenures of former prime ministers Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto. He said his visit will boost cooperation between the two countries in defense, social, economic and cultural sectors.

Gilani launched a China Culture Week in Islamabad last month to mark the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

Beijing and Islamabad have developed an all-weather friendship since the two countries established diplomatic links in 1951.

Leaders of the two countries have maintained frequent exchanges of visits in recent years. President Hu Jintao visited Pakistan in November 2006. President Zardari paid his first visit to China only one month after assuming office in 2008. Zardari visited China twice in 2009.

Gilani is to leave Beijing for home Thursday after attending a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization(SCO), which groups China, Russia, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan.

Pakistan is one of the four observers of the SCO, together with Mongolia, India and Iran.