Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani will pay a four-day official visit to China from May 17 (Tuesday), to discuss with its leadership ways to strengthen bilateral ties that mark six decades of friendship.
The visit is important as it marks the joint commemoration of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China and also celebrates the Year of Friendship as designated by the leaders of two countries," Foreign Office spokesperson Tehmina Janjua told APP on Sunday.
Spokesperson said the prime minister would kick off the visit from Shanghai on May 17 where he will address the first conference of World Cultural Forum in Suzhou. The conference is being held under the theme "Dialogue and Co-operation for World Harmony and Common Development".
She said during his stay in Beijing, Prime Minister Gilani would hold substantive talks with Chinese President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao and exchange views on "deepening bilateral relations, promoting practical co-operation across the board as well as other issues of the common interest".
Spokesperson said Pakistan and China would also ink a number of cooperation documents in the fields of economy, trade, finance and culture. The prime minister will meet Jia Qinglin, Chairman of the National Standing Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).
He will also interact with the members of China's business community besides addressing the students at China's prestigious Peking University.
Spokesperson Tehmina Janjua said Pakistan and China enjoy an "all-weather and strategic partnership".
She said Chinese people give great importance to symbolism and Prime Minister Gilani's visit to China will be significant "both symbolically and concretely".
"Pakistan will take this opportunity to make concerted efforts with China for the enhancement of friendly interaction and taking bilateral relations to new heights", she said.
The prime minister last visited China in October 2009 to participate in the summit of Shanghai Co-operation organisation (SCO).
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