BEIJING, May 21 (Xinhua) -- At the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will pay an official visit to China from May 23 to 26, a foreign ministry spokesperson announced on Thursday.
Spokesperson Guo Jiakun said at a regular press briefing that Sharif's visit is an important high-level exchange between China and Pakistan on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic relations.
Guo said that during the visit, Chinese President Xi Jinping will meet with Sharif and Premier Li Qiang will hold talks with him.
The leaders of the two countries will have an in-depth exchange of views on bilateral ties and issues of common concern, pointing out the direction for the development of China-Pakistan relations under the new situation, the spokesperson said.
Sharif will also attend the reception celebrating the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan and visit Zhejiang Province, Guo added.
Noting that China and Pakistan are good friends and all-weather strategic cooperative partners, Guo said that over the past 75 years, China-Pakistan relations have stood all tests and remained rock-solid, setting a fine example for state-to-state relations.
Guo added that in recent years, under the strategic guidance of leaders of the two countries, the two sides have maintained close high-level exchanges and steadily advanced practical cooperation, yielding fruitful outcomes in the high-quality development of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.
China and Pakistan have kept close communication and coordination on major international and regional issues, effectively safeguarded their common interests, and promoted regional peace, stability and development, Guo said.
China looks forward to both sides taking this visit as an opportunity to carry forward traditional friendship, deepen all-round cooperation and jointly write a new chapter in building a closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era, Guo added. ■
