Chinese premier lands in Islamabad for SCO meeting, Pakistan visit

ISLAMABAD, Oct. 14 -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang landed here on Monday to attend the 23rd Meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of Member States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

During his stay, Li will also pay an official visit to the country.

In a statement released upon his arrival, Li noted that Pakistan is China's all-weather strategic cooperative partner, saying that since the establishment of diplomatic ties 73 years ago, the two countries have always trusted and supported each other, and China-Pakistan relations have become a good example of friendly cooperation and mutual benefit between countries.

He recalled that Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during his China visit this June where the two leaders made further plans on accelerating the building of an even closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era, thus providing important strategic guidance for the development of bilateral relations and cooperation.

The Chinese side, Li said, is ready to continue to carry forward the traditional friendship with Pakistan, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, better share development opportunities, and jointly create a bright future of common prosperity and progress of the two countries.

China looks forward to working with all parties of the SCO to further carry forward the Shanghai Spirit, implement the outcomes of the Astana Summit, deepen cooperation in various fields, and promote the cohesion of the SCO so as to make greater contribution to regional peace, stability and development.

Li arrived in Islamabad after concluding an official visit to Vietnam.