GUANGZHOU (CHINA): President Asif Ali Zardari will arrive here Thursday on a three-day visit to China to attend the opening ceremony of 16th Asian Games on the invitation of Chinese leadership.President Zardari besides attending the inaugural of the 16th Asian Games, another mega event being hosted by China after the 2008 Olympics, will also hold bilateral meetings with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Chinese businessmen and entrepreneurs.Pakistani Contingent with over 200 athletes is also taking part in the Asian Games, wherein the athletes of 42 Asian nations are participating.
On the sidelines of the inaugural of 16th Asian Games being held here from November 12 to 27, President Zardari will also hold a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister of Thailand Abhisit Vejjajiva as well as some other foreign dignitaries who will be in Guangzhou to attend the opening ceremony.During the meeting President Zardari and Premier Wen Jiabao, the two leaders besides discussing the regional and international matters of common interest will discuss ways and mean to further strengthen their already existing close, deep rooted and historic relations and give fresh impetus to their strategic partnership through increased trade and economic cooperation, Pakistan’s Ambassador to China Masood Khan told APP here on Wednesday.The two leaders will also explore the avenues of Chinese role in the reconstruction of areas affected by the recent devastating floods in Pakistan, he said.
The President during the visit will also address an economic forum being organized jointly by China Council for Promotion of Investment and Trade and Pakistan Embassy, which will be attended by important businessmen, entrepreneurs and agriculturists of Guanddong province.
Ambassador Khan said with the economic and trade relations strengthened between Pakistan and Guangdong province over the last one year and the businessmen and agriculturists of this southern Chinese province keen to invest in Pakistan, the economic forum will provide a good opportunity of interaction.Guangdong province has some 50 percent contribution in bilateral trade volume between Pakistan and China, which at present is around $ 7 billion and the two countries were aiming to take it to $ 15 billion by 2015 – App