On May 22, 2013, Premier Li Keqiang of the State Council and Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari met the press after they held talks in Islamabad.

Li Keqiang said, I choose Pakistan for my first trip abroad as the Chinese Premier after taking office, it manifests the importance the new Chinese government attaches to China-Pakistan relationship. The visit coincides with a special moment when Pakistan has just held parliamentary elections and a new government is yet to be formed. This fully demonstrates that no matter how the circumstances and environment change, the relationship between China and Pakistan is unbreakable, and that China-Pakistan friendship, as an eternal treasure of both peoples, will always be sustainable as time goes by, transcending the changes of the times and always maintaining its strong vitality.

Li Keqiang noted, my visit to Pakistan is to consolidate the traditional friendship between China and Pakistan and to deepen strategic cooperation. I held talks with President Zardari and Interim Prime Minister Mir Hazar Khan Khoso, reaching important consensus on deepening China-Pakistan comprehensive strategic cooperative relations. The two sides agreed to combine the expanding of domestic demand in China and the strategy of developing China’s western region with the process of domestic economic development in Pakistan, so as to translate the advantage of high-level political relations between the two countries into practical results of bilateral cooperation, to benefit the two peoples. The both sides decided to promote the building of interconnection and intercommunication and to build up a China-Pakistan economic corridor, which will be of strategic significance to the development of both countries and the region. In face of the profound and complex changes in the international and regional situation, the Chinese side is ready to join hands with the Pakistani side to cope with challenges for common development and to play a positive role in safeguarding regional stability and prosperity.

Zardari expressed that Premier Li Keqiang’s visit is very fruitful and will inject strong impetus into the economic and social development in Pakistan, opening a new historical chapter in Pakistan-China friendship. Pakistan is the second homeland for the Chinese people. It was, it is and it will always be an all-weather friend of China. The Pakistani side is willing to make joint efforts with China to build a better future for the two countries, for South Asia and for the world.

Prior to meeting the press, Premier Li Keqiang and President Zardari witnessed the signing of bilateral cooperative documents in the fields of economy, trade, infrastructure and education.