Premier Li Keqiang offers to help end Pakistan's energy crisis
Li Keqiang urges ally to prioritise their collaboration in power generation projects and boosting bilateral trade to US$15 billion
China and Pakistan should make co-operation on power generation a priority, Premier Li Keqiang said, as Islamabad seeks to end an energy crisis that causes power cuts of up to 20 hours a day and brings the economy to a near standstill.
Li arrived in Islamabad yesterday on the second leg of his first official trip since taking office in March, after a visit to India.
Security was tight, with mobile phone networks across the city shut down.
Li held talks with President Asif Ali Zardari and officials signed a series of memorandums of understanding on economic, science, technology and energy issues.
Prime minister-elect Nawaz Sharif, set to meet Li today, will doubtless be hoping the visit leads to closer trade ties after his Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz party triumphed in the May 11 general election on a promise to revitalise the economy.
Li said there was still "great potential" for the relationship. Bilateral trade last year topped US$12 billion for the first time and both sides aim to reach US$15 billion in the next two or three years.
"Our two sides should focus on carrying out priority projects in connectivity, energy development and power generation and promoting the building of a China-Pakistan economic corridor," Li said.