PM Raja leaves for China to represent Pakistan at WEF

The Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf left for China Monday to attend the meeting of World Economic Forum being held at Tianjin from September 10 to 13. Talking to the media persons at Chaklala airbase before departure‚ the Prime Minister said China is our time tested friend and both the countries have stood by each other in difficult times. He said Pakistan wants to further strengthen its relations with China. During interaction with the Chinese leadership‚ he will discuss expansion of bilateral relations in diverse fields including the energy sector. He said the Chinese companies are already making large scale investments in different sectors. On the sideline of World Economic Forum to be held at the Chinese port city Tianjin‚ the Prime Minister will hold talks with the Chinese leadership including his Chinese counterpart Wen Jiabao on regional situation and expansion of bilateral relations in different fields. He will also meet with other heads of the governments and the business leaders on the sideline of the summit. The World Economic Forum is scheduled to be held at Tianjin from September 10 to 13. Finance Minister, Dr. Abdul Hafeez Sheikh, Foreign Secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani and other officials are accompanying the Prime Minister during the visit. Talking to media persons at Chaklala Air Base, the Prime Minister who is on his first ever visit to China said the WEF is important forum to interact with world leaders, economic experts and heads of international financial institutions. He said he will also interact with Chinese leaders especially the Premier of China and discuss all range of issues relating to cooperation in trade, economic and energy sector. China is trust worthy friend and always supported Pakistan in all odds and difficult times, he said. The Prime Minister said, "Pakistan is proud of its ties with China as Pak-China friendship is higher than Hamalays, deeper than oceans and sweeter than honey." He said issue of Gwadar port and more cooperation in energy sector will be especially discussed by him during his meeting with Chinese leadership. The Prime Minister, on the sideline of WEF, will hold bilateral meeting with Wen Jiabao, the Prime Minister of China. The Prime Minister is also scheduled to meet with other head of the governments invited to the forum. He said he will also interact with CEOs of prominent Chinese companies and business leaders besides interaction with the Chinese media during the visit. The Prime Minister will also be discussion leader during the informal gathering of World Economic Leaders.