Chinese Premier Commits To Boosting Strategic Relationship With Pakistan

Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang (file photo)

China has pledged to enhance its strategic friendship with Pakistan.

Visiting Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang said that "the tree of China-Pakistan friendship is now exuberant with abundant fruits."

He called for joint efforts to bring about "an even brighter and more brilliant future" for bilateral relations.

The Chinese leader was accompanied by cabinet ministers and businessmen.

Li met with Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and caretaker Prime Minister Mir Hazar Khan Khoso.

Li has said the two neighbors should make cooperation on power generation a priority.

Islamabad seeks to end an electricity crisis that causes severe power cuts daily, bringing the economy to a near standstill.

Pakistan says it also wants to increase trade with China from the current $12 billion per year to $15 billion within three years.

Based on reporting by dpa and AP