ISLAMABAD: Chinese Premier Li Qiang, marking the first visit by a Chinese premier to Pakistan in 11 years, received a guard of honor at the Prime Minister’s House.
He arrived in Pakistan’s capital Islamabad on Monday to participate in the heads of government gathering of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), which begins tomorrow.
Upon his arrival, Premier Li was warmly greeted by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The national anthems of both Pakistan and China were played as the dignitary stood at the salute dais, where a smartly turned-out contingent from the three armed forces presented a guard of honor, which Premier Li reviewed.
After the ceremony, the two prime ministers introduced their respective delegations before engaging in bilateral talks.
As a gesture of goodwill, Premier Li also planted a sapling on the PM House lawn. Earlier, he was welcomed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, and other cabinet members upon his arrival for the four-day visit.
Premier Li expressed his hope for a “historic and productive” visit on his X timeline, aiming to further strengthen the longstanding friendship between the two nations.
