BEIJING: President Dr Arif Alvi on Monday arrived in Beijing on a two-day official visit. Upon arrival at Beijing airport, the president was received by Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China Han Changfu and Ambassador of Pakistan to China Naghmana Alamgir Hashmi. The president was presented static guard by a smartly turned out contingent of Chinese forces.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms Asad Umar are also accompanying the president.

The Foreign Office in a statement said the visit will play an important role in further solidifying the historic bonds of trust and mutual support between the two ‘iron brothers’. “It will also serve as an opportunity for the leadership of the two countries to review bilateral, regional and international issues and to advance the shared goals of promoting peace, prosperity and development in the region and beyond,” it said.

Earlier, speaking to official media at Nur Khan Air Base, President Alvi said his visit to China is meant to express solidarity on Covid-19 epidemic and also learn from their experience to effectively handle the situation. “The way China has fought the coronavirus is an example for the world and Pakistan will also like to get an input about it,” he said.

President Alvi said they are visiting China on the invitation of President Xi Jinping. He said the visit is aimed at conveying strong support and solidarity of Pakistan towards the government and the people of China as Beijing has made resolute efforts to containing and dealing with the spread of Covid-19.