Prime Minister Imran Khan departed on an official visit to China this evening.

He is accompanied by a high-level delegation including Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Finance Minister Asad Umar, Planning and Development Minister Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtyar and Railways Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad.Advisor to Prime Minister on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood and Chief Minister Balochistan Jam Kamal Khan are also accompanying the Prime Minister. During the visit, Prime Minister Imran Khan will hold meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang. Foreign Office spokesperson says this will be the first official visit of the Prime Minister to China after assuming office in August this year. He will be accompanied by a high-level delegation including Foreign Minister and Minister for Planing and Development. The visit signifies the closeness and traditional warmth which characterizes Pakistan-China all weather strategic cooperative partnership. During the visit, Prime Minister Imran Khan will hold meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang. The two sides will review the entire range of bilateral relations which have enjoyed a long history of mutual trust and support. The two sides will also sign several Agreements and MoUs of Cooperation in diverse fields. After his visit to Beijing, the Prime Minister will visit Shanghai to participate in First China International Import Expo, where Pakistan is exhibiting a wide range of export products. Prime Minister will be a keynote speaker at the inauguration of the Expo. On the sidelines of Shanghai Forum, Prime Minister will also hold meetings with other world leaders. He will also hold meetings with leaders of Chinese financial and corporate sector. Our Islamabad correspondent Tariq Ch reports that the traditionally close, cooperative and friendly ties between Pakistan and China are based on shared principles and mutual interests entailing close cooperation in diverse fields. Both the countries maintain close and regular strategic communication for promotion of regional peace and stability and economic cooperation. Economic and industrial cooperation between Pakistan and China expanded significantly after the launching of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. Prime Minister's visit is expected to provide further impetus to enhance the existing strategic ties between the two countries and break new grounds for broadening the bilateral partnership.