Chinese President Xi Jinping seals new partnerships during his Pakistan trip. (Photo : Reuters)
Chinese President Xi Jinping's two-day state visit to Pakistan will expand the cooperation between the two nations, Pakistan's ambassador to China Masood Khalid told China Daily in an interview.
The diplomat revealed that Xi and Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif are expected to talk about energy, infrastructure development, education, culture, information and people-to-people contacts during his visit on Monday and Tuesday.
According to the news site, Khalid sees the trip to have benefits on the connectivity, economic integration and comprehensive security as the agreements will strengthen the cooperation in these areas between the two countries. It will also be an instrument for the expansion of the partnership.
Nine years have passed since China's president has paid a visit to Pakistan. This year's visit was made possible after China expanded its economic ties and contributed $40 billion for the Silk Road Economic Belt.
The initiative, proposed by the Chinese president, "can usher in unparalleled economic and social dividends for Asia and beyond" as it will serve the economic development, generate employment, help to alleviate poverty and promote social progress of the countries involved, Khalid said.
China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi described the relationship of the two nations as "close as lips and teeth," since China and Pakistan are linked by the same waters and mountains.
Wang added that China calls Pakistan as "Iron Pak" or "Iron Friend" as the relationship of the two countries is as hard as rock and "has grown from strength to strength in the course of time."
Indonesia will be the next destination of the Chinese president to attend the Asian-African Summit and activities marking the 60th anniversary of the Bandung Conference from April 21-24.
