Chinese, Pakistan for stronger partnership

PAKISTAN: Chinese Premier Li Keqiang vowed to strengthen his country's partnership with Pakistan as he arrived Wednesday for a visit less than two weeks after the country's general election. The long-time allies will look to use the two-day trip to boost trade ties, and Li will meet Prime Minister-elect Nawaz Sharif -- who has not yet been sworn in -- as well as holding talks with senior officials.

Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) party swept to victory in the May 11 general election on a promise to revitalise the struggling economy. Help from its giant northern neighbour will be important to this.

Trade between China and Pakistan hit an annual $12 billion for the first time last year, according to Islamabad's foreign ministry, and the two sides plan to raise this to $15 billion in the next two to three years.

AFP