Premier Li Keqiang said that China and Pakistan will always be good partners, and the two countries will work together to deepen their pragmatic cooperation.

Premier Li Keqiang said that China and Pakistan will always be good partners, and the two countries will work together to deepen their pragmatic cooperation.

Premier Li made the remarks in talks with Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari shortly after he landed in Pakistan’s capital Islamabad on Wednesday.

Li said he stopped in Pakistan in his first overseas trip because China aims to open a new chapter in bilateral ties with Pakistan. Zardari, for his part, said the itinerary of Li’s first foreign trip as premier testifies to the great importance China attaches to the bilateral ties.

In a separate meeting with Zardari and Pakistani interim Prime Minister Mir Hazar Khan Khoso, Premier Li said the China-Pakistan relationship is one of the priorities in China’s foreign policy. Li noted that China will maintain high level exchanges with Pakistan. The two sideas will develop new pragmatic cooperation areas such as Internet and oceanic sources development.

After the meeting, Zardari held a grand ceremony to confer on the Chinese premier the Nishan-e-Pakistan, the highest award given by the Pakistani government.

Premier Li Keqiang said that China and Pakistan will always be good partners, and the two countries will work together to deepen their pragmatic cooperation.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (L) and Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari shake hands during a medal conferring ceremony in Islamabad, Pakistan, May 22, 2013.