Pakistani president arrives for China visit

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-10-14 22:15

BEIJING - Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari arrived here on Tuesday evening, starting his four-day state visit to China, his first official visit abroad since assuming office.

Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari (2nd from top) arrives at Beijing Capital International Airport October 14, 2008. [Agencies]

Zardari was visiting as a guest of President Hu Jintao. During his stay, he is expected to hold talks with Hu and meet with other leaders, including top legislator Wu Bangguo, Premier Wen Jiabao and top advisor Jia Qinglin.

"I'm looking forward to visiting China ... I am hoping to remind the leadership of the world how close our relationship is," Zardari told Xinhua on Monday in an interview before his China trip.

He described himself as "the first businessman president of Pakistan" who focused more on trade and economic ties with China. He added he had a long-term economic cooperation plan with China, and would "bring my own concept to China."

China expected the visit to deepen bilateral strategic and cooperative partnership, according to Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang at a regular press conference last week.

Zardari won the presidential election in September and took office as the nation's 12th president, succeeding former leader Pervez Musharraf who resigned last month.