Pak-China relationship “sweeter than honey”; Nawaz tells Chinese counterpart

BEIJING : Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday told his Chinese counterpart Li Keqiang their countries' relationship was “sweeter than honey”.
He expressed these views during a meeting with his chinese counterpart with economic ties at the top of the agenda.
Pakistan and China are close diplomatic and military allies and Sharif, who is on his first foreign trip since his May election, is looking to secure infrastructure projects to tackle a chronic energy crisis and economic malaise in his country.
At the Great Hall of the People in the Chinese capital, Sharif said his welcome “reminds me of the saying, our friendship is higher than the Himalayas and deeper than the deepest sea in the world, and sweeter

than honey”.
Li told him: “I greatly appreciate your great warmth and deep affection for the people of China.”
The Chinese premier was the first foreign leader to visit Pakistan after Sharif's victory at the polls.
Beijing has been involved with the upgrade of the Karakoram Highway as part of a proposed economic corridor between the two countries.
Earlier this year China took control of Pakistan's Gwadar port, giving it access to the Arabian Sea and Strait of Hormuz, a gateway for a third of the world's traded oil.
China-Pakistan trade last year reached $12 billion and is targeted to rise to $15 billion in the next two to three years.
On Thursday Sharif held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, amid concerns in his country over weak growth, inflation and power cuts of up to 20 hours a day.
Xi, who referred to Sharif as an old friend and a good brother, said strengthening strategic cooperation with Islamabad was a priority for China's diplomacy, the state-run broadcaster China Central Television reported.
Sharif said his country welcomed Chinese investment and would work to create a friendly environment for it.
Earlier, Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif Friday received red carpet welcome from the Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on his arrival at the impressive building of Great Hall of the People. While both the leaders were inspecting the guard of honour, there were 19 gun salutes in the background to herald the arrival of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif as a symbol of high regards and warmth on the part of the host country and its leaders.
Chinese Premier shook hand with Nawaz Sharif on arrival and introduced the members of his cabinet that followed the introduction of his delegation by Pakistan’s Prime Minister.
As both leaders reached the welcome dais, a contingent of People’s Liberation Army played national anthems of both the countries.
Following the welcome ceremony, both the dignitaries held bilateral talks.
Briefing the media, Premier Li said he clearly remembered his visit to Pakistan in May the Prime Minister-in-waiting Nawaz Sharif participated in his meetings with the then leaders of Pakistan.
Premier Li greatly appreciated Nawaz Sharif’s warmth and deep affection for the people of China.
Nawaz Sharif thanked Premier Li for his remarks and said what he has been observing here during his visit to China, substantiates the fact that “our friendship is higher than the Himalayas and deeper than the oceans and sweeter than honey.”
Nawaz Sharif thanked the Chinese Premier for the hospitality extended to him and his entourage.
He recalled his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping held on Thursday and said, “He was very kind to invite us. We exchanged similar views last night as well.”
Nawaz Sharif also thanked Premier Li for inviting him to visit China and added that he felt proud to visit China as my maiden foreign visit after assuming office.  (News Agencies)