By Our Correspondent
LAHORE: Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif arrived in Beijing to undertake China visit as the first female Chief Minister of Punjab and Pakistan. She was accorded a warm reception at the Beijing airport upon her arrival and was presented with a bouquet. 6 senior officials of the Communist Party of China were present at the airport to warmly welcome her. Pakistan’s Ambassador to China Khalil Hashmi and his wife also welcomed her at the airport.
A high-level delegation of the Communist Party of China called on CM Punjab. The head of the Chinese delegation, Lin Tao thanked CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif and her delegation upon their arrival and welcomed them from the bottom of his heart.
The Chief Minister said on the occasion, “Pak-China friendship is moving towards greater heights. We want to take Punjab to economic and financial heights with the cooperation of China. On behalf of the Punjab government and the people of Punjab, I would like to extend my gratitude to the people of China.”
Deputy Director General of the Communist Party of China Lin Tao, Consular South Asian Affairs Mrs. Li Zhenyao, Deputy Director of the Bureau of Southeast Chen Zhenbo, South Asian Affairs Attaché, Seng Guoyu and Miss Chen Yubo and Miss Zhou Chenyu accorded her a warm reception. Other officers of the Pakistan’s embassy were also present at the airport.
Senator Pervez Rashid, Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, Minister for Information and Culture Azma Zahid Bokhari, Provincial Ministers Bilal Akbar, Ashiq Kirmani and others accompanied her.
The official engagements of CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s 8-day visit will commence tomorrow. She will pay a visit to hospitals, schools and other institutions in China.
