By Li Hongmei

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang arrived in Pakistan on Wednesday unfolding a two-day official visit, China News reported.

Li, on his first overseas trip since taking office, will hold talks with President Asif Ali Zardari and caretaker prime minister before meeting Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif on Thursday.

Premier Li is accompanied by a high-profiled delegation, which includes Foreign Minister Mr. Wang Yi, Gao Hucheng, Minister for Commerce, and Xu Shaoshi, Chairman of National Development Reform Commission, high ranking officials and leaders of the corporate sector.

Pakistan's prime minister will host a banquet for Li in the evening. The highest award of Nishan-e-Pakistan will also be conferred upon the Chinese premier.

Besides having bilateral meetings with the president and prime minister, Premier Li Keqiang will hold a joint meeting with the chairman Senate and Speaker National Assembly and also address the Senate of Pakistan. Leaders of the political parties will also meet the Chinese premier.

Economic cooperation between China and Pakistan has expanded significantly in recent years. The bilateral trade between Pakistan and China in 2012 crossed the figure of US$12 billion for the first time. Both sides are committed to achieving a trade target of US$15 billion in the next two-three years.

Several major energy and infrastructure development projects are being executed in Pakistan with Chinese assistance. More than 120 Chinese companies are engaged in economic activity in Pakistan and Chinese investment reached the figure of US$2 billion by 2012.

Many important agreements and MoUs in the fields of economy, science and technology, space and upper atmosphere, communication and energy would be signed during Li's visit. All these and other agreements are aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and improving the well-being of the two people.