ISLAMABAD: Six JF-17 Thunder fighters of Pakistan Air Force, will escort the aircraft of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang as it enters Pakistan air space on Wednesday, at the start of his two-day State visit.

The JF-17s, symbol of deep Sino-Pakistan friendship, will guide the special Air China Boeing 747 aircraft of the Chinese dignitary to the Nur Khan Air Base, where a 21-gun salute will herald his arrival. The JF-17s will flypast over the air base.

In a rare gesture of cordiality and warm feelings for China, President Asif Ali Zardari and the caretaker Prime Minister Justice (R) Mir Hazar Khan Khoso will receive the chief guest, his first visit to Pakistan, since assuming office in March.

Prime Minister Khoso will bid farewell to the Chinese Premier on Thursday and the six JF-17s will escort the dignitary's aircraft till the aerial limits of Pakistan.

The Government and people of Pakistan look forward to the visit of Premier Li Keqiang and a warm welcome awaits him, a Foreign Office statement said.