Chinese Foreign Minister in Pakistan to hold talks with new govt

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi arrived here on Friday on a three-day official visit during which he is expected to hold talks with the country's new leadership on bilateral and regional issues, including the CPEC.

Diplomatic Officials said Wang will meet his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mahmood Qureshi and call on Prime Minister Imran Khan and president-elect Arif Alvi.

"Bilateral issues including progress on the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and regional issues will be discussed during meetings," according officials.

Officials said that the key meetings of Wang with top leaders were scheduled for Saturday.

Wang's visit comes close on the heels of a brief trip by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on September 5.

Wang's visit also comes amidst reports of unease in Beijing over how the new PTI government would approach over USD 50 billion Chinese investments in various projects under the CPEC connecting China's Muslim-majority Xinjiang province with Gwadar port in Pakistan.

Khan in the past criticised former prime minister Nawaz Sharif for the lack of transparency and corruption in the CPEC projects.

Newly-appointed Finance Minister Asad Umar has promised to bring about transparency to the CPEC projects whose details remained closely guarded secrets.

India has protested to China over the CPEC, which is being built through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).