BEIJING: President Asif Ali Zardari will arrive here on Tuesday on his first state visit abroad at the invitation of Chinese President Hu Jintao.

The president’s four-day visit will focus on further strengthening the relationship of trust and friendship between the two countries and enhancing mutually beneficial cooperation in the areas of common interest, diplomatic sources said.

Pakistan’s ambassador to China Masood Khan told this news agency that the two countries had exemplary friendly relations and the top leadership was committed to further deepen the time-tested ties.

To a query, the envoy said Pakistan and China were committed to work for peace and stability in the region. He said with the democratic political dispensation in place in Pakistan, this visit would lend further boost to the existing ties.

President Zardari and his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao will hold important talks on wide ranging issues and the entire gamut of bilateral relations and cooperation in diverse fields.

Pakistan and China are expected to ink MoUs, agreements and protocols in the fields of economics, energy, space technology, environment, mass-communication and sports at the conclusion of the state visit, he said, adding the Investment Protocol would also be signed during the visit.

After his rendezvous with his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi told the Pakistani media that the summit-level talks during the state visit of President Zardari would be of immense benefit for both sides, particularly Pakistan.

Qureshi said that matters of defence, strategic and economic importance came under discussion during the talks which lasted for over an hour. Foreign Secretary Mr Salman Bashir, Pakistan’s ambassador Mr Masood Khan and Chinese ambassador in Pakistan Luo Zhaohui were also present on the occasion.

He said his interaction with the Chinese foreign minister before the arrival of President Zardari was meant to work out framework and modalities for the summit talks.

Earlier Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said Beijing has been attaching great importance to the visit of President Asif Ali Zardari.

He said President Zardari chose China as his destination for his first state visit and China appreciates this gesture.

The visit will further strengthen the Pak-China partnership and cooperation as the president himself and the government of Pakistan showed interest in this regard, he added.

The Chinese foreign minister said he had an opportunity to exchange views with his Pakistani counterpart on how to beef up bilateral ties and further develop them to diversify cooperation.

Reciprocating the sentiments and warm feelings of his Chinese counterpart, the Pakistani foreign minister said President Zardari accorded immense importance to his first state visit to the time-tested and trust-bound friend China.

Qureshi was also given a briefing about the Chinese Foreign Ministry and the architecture of its building. He was also introduced to Assistant Foreign Minister for Asia Affairs Mr Hu Zhengyue.

During the visit, Zardari will also meet Chairman NPC Standing Committee Wu Bangguo, Premier of the State Council Wen Jiabao and Chairman CPPCC Jia Qinglin.

On October 16, the president will host a luncheon for China’s corporate leaders from top hundred corporations with whom he will discuss ways to further enhance trade and economic relations between the two countries.

President Zardari will also meet representatives of the Chinese print and electronic media.

In an exclusive chat with APP ahead of President Zardari’s four-day visit to Beijing, Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir said that the Chinese leadership and people have accorded high importance to the visit. In response to a question, the foreign secretary expressed the hope that this trip would prove to be a milestone in the bilateral bonds which have matured into comprehensive strategic partnership between the two sides.

He said the Pakistan Peopleís Party had enduring legacy of strong ties with China. ìThe president is eagerly looking to take these ties forward for the mutual benefit and advantage of the two countries,î he said.

The Chinese government has made special arrangements to accord a warm welcome to the president. Chinese President Hu Jintao will formally welcome President Zardari and hold talks with him on October 15. He will also host a state banquet for Zardari. The two leaders will discuss the entire spectrum of bilateral relations and also exchange views on the important regional and international issues.

President Zardari will brief the president of China on the priorities and policies of the new government in the areas of counter-terrorism, economy and foreign policy.

The two leaders will also discuss ways to add greater economic content to the Pakistan-China comprehensive strategic partnership.

Meanwhile, the foreign ministers of both the countries held a meeting on Monday, setting the tone for the upcoming talks between President Asif Ali Zardari and his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao at the Great Hall of People here.