Pak PM arrives in China for meet, to talk over Gwadar Port

, Sept 10:

Prime Minister

arrived here on Monday to hold talks with Chinese leaders amid reports that Beijing might take over operations at the Gwadar Port in Pakistan's Balochistan province. This was Ashraf's first visit to

after he succeeded Yusuf Raza Gilani, who was disqualified by the country's Supreme Court in June.

The Pakistan Prime Minister is among those foreign dignitaries who have been invited by China to take part in the sixth Annual Meeting of New Champions, beginning on Tuesday at Tianjin. The meeting, also known as the Summer Davos Forum, will be inaugurated by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao.

Hong Lei, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Jiabao and Ashraf will be meeting to discuss steps to strengthen the traditional ties and cooperation between the two countries. It can be mentioned here that Lei had given a tacit confirmation about China's taking over operations of Gwadar Port with a UDS 10 billion investment ahead of Ashraf's visit.

According to a report published in Outlook, when asked about Pakistan Shipping Minister Babar Khan Ghauri saying that China might take over the port operations after the Singapore Port Authority pulled out, Lei had told PTI that the two countries were cooperating to build infrastructure projects to help Pakistan work for the people's welfare and socio-economic development.

Meanwhile, Ashraf said before his visit to Beijing that he would talk with top Chinese leaders over cooperation in trade and energy sector. He said China always acted as a reliable friend for Pakistan.

OneIndia News