Islamabad : Pakistan’s new Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will visit China on May 21 at the special invitation of his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi to review the entire gamut of bilateral relations, with a particular focus on stronger trade and economic cooperation between the two all-weather allies, the Foreign Office announced here on Friday. Bilawal’s visit between May 21 and 22 will coincide with the 71st anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China, it said. This would be Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s first bilateral visit abroad since assuming office last month, the Foreign Office said, adding that the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar and senior officials will also be part of the minister’s delegation.
The foreign minister during his visit will hold extensive consultations with Wang Yi. The two leaders will review the entire gamut of bilateral relations, with a particular focus on stronger trade and economic cooperation between Pakistan and China. Fast-tracked progress on the transformational China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, flagship project of President Xi Jinping’s visionary Belt and Road Initiative, will also feature in the discussions, the FO said.
The two sides will also have a wide-ranging exchange of views on major regional and international issues, it said. In Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin noted that it will be Bilawal’s first official bilateral visit since he assumed the office of foreign minister.