President Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday evening arrived here to witness the opening of 16th Asian games and to use the occasion for holding bilateral meetings with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, besides meeting China's provincial political leaders and leaders of the corporate sector on the sidelines of the mega sports event.
The President was received at the airport by Vice Governor of Guangdong Liu Kun, Vice Mayor of Guangzhou Chen Mingde and Pakistan's ambassador Masood Khan. Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will also arrive later on Thursday to witness the opening of the Asian games.
The Presidential entourage includes Salim Mandviwala Chairman Board of Investment, Syed Mehdi Shah Chief Minister Gilgit Baltistan, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Malik Amad Khan and Interior Minister Rahman Malik. Briefing journalists spokesperson to the President Farhatullah Babar said that the forthcoming visit is the sixth undertaken by the President since he became President over two years ago.
The frequent visits to China are in line with the President's announcement made during his first visit to China in October 2008 that he will frequently visit China to boost some new initiatives that the government had decided to take to further promote economic ties between the two countries, he said.
During the two-day visit the President, besides participating in the opening of the Asian Games, will also address the Pakistan-China Economic Co-operation Forum and hold discussion with corporate leaders of energy, construction, mining, petroleum, engineering, shipping, finance and banking sectors.
During last visit to China in July this year the President visited pavilions of Pakistan and China at Shanghai Expo showcasing economic and industrial progress of the two countries. To reach out to the Chinese people and step up peoples to peoples contacts the President will also have media interactions during his stay in Guangzhou.