Wen pays visit to Pakistan

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Dec. 17 (UPI) -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao is visiting Pakistan, the second leg of his two-nation south Asia trip, officials said.

In Pakistan, Wen plans to discuss the country's efforts to rebuild following widespread flooding this summer, and will examine with Pakistani officials ways to increase economic trade between the two countries, Xinhua reported.

"The purpose of my visit this time is to solidify friendship, deepen cooperation, support Pakistan's efforts of post-disaster reconstruction, and ring in, together with Pakistan, the 60th anniversary of China-Pakistan diplomatic relations in 2011," Wen said.

Wen said Pakistan has made positive contributions to peace, stability and development of the region and the world.

"China and Pakistan are all-weather cooperation partners," Wen said. "Under the complex and fluid international and regional circumstances, it is a firm policy of the Chinese government to further cement and deepen the strategic partnership of cooperation with Pakistan."

Wen will also attend a China-Pakistan business summit during the visit.

China has pledged $250 million to help Pakistan recover from flooding that hit the country in July and August.

Wen started his trip with a visit to India Wednesday.