Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari will start a five-day visit to China on Tuesday, with counterterrorism and economic cooperation expected to top the agenda.
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“At the invitation of President Xi Jinping, President Asif Ali Zardari of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan will pay a state visit to China from February 4 to 8,” the Chinese foreign ministry said on Monday, without offering further details.
Zardari’s trip comes as Pakistan grapples with security and economic problems that also challenge China’s projects there.
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Over 130 killed in fresh wave of violence between Sunni and Shiite Muslims in Pakistan
Over 130 killed in fresh wave of violence between Sunni and Shiite Muslims in Pakistan
It has also been nearly eight months since Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited China. During that trip, both sides focused on safeguarding China’s presence in the turbulent region and further cooperation on the Belt and Road Initiative, Beijing’s massive infrastructure programme.
Zhu Yongbiao, a professor at Lanzhou University’s school of politics and international relations, said he believed the two topics would dominate discussion during Zardari’s visit.
“The frequent high-level exchanges between Pakistan and China reflect, on the one hand, the special and close nature of the bilateral relationship, but on the other hand the need for the two countries to further strengthen communication,” Zhu said.
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He said Islamabad still faced “volatility of the security situation” which required Beijing to maintain intimate communication with its South Asian neighbour.
China’s heavy investment in Pakistan continually faces threats – especially in the provinces of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa – as attacks by anti-government militants target the Chinese presence there.