State Visit of Xi Jinping to Pakistan
Date20–21 April 2015
VenueIslamabad
Murree
CauseChina–Pakistan Economic Corridor
Organised by
Eight JF-17 aircraft of the Pakistan Air Force welcoming and escorting Xi Jinping on his arrival in Pakistan's airspace.

Xi Jinping's visit to Pakistan from 20 to 21 April 2015, was the first state visit of Xi Jinping to Pakistan. Xi is the second Chinese leader to visit Pakistan in the 2010s after Chinese Premier Li Keqiang's visit to Pakistan between 22 and 23 May 2013. It was also Xi's first overseas trip of 2015. The trip led to the signing of accords for $46 billion of investment in Pakistan by China for the construction of roads, rails, and power plants to be built on a commercial basis by Chinese companies over 15 years. Most of the 51 projects were part of the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor.

The trip also showed the confirmation of the sale of eight Chinese submarines, more than doubling Pakistan's fleet.[1] The trip was tremendously covered by international media. The New York Times claimed it to be a "gesture likely to confirm the decline of American influence in that nation".[2][3][4] According to the BBC, the Chinese state and its banks would lend to Chinese companies to carry out the work, thereby making it a commercial venture with direct impact on China's slackening economy.[5]

In this state visit, Pakistan conferred its highest civilian award Nishan-e-Pakistan on Xi Jinping for his "outstanding contribution in promotion of relationship between the two countries."[6][7] This was the fourth time that Pakistan awarded Chinese Premier or President this award, earlier Li Peng (1999), Hu Jintao (2006), Li Keqiang (2013) were awarded.

Background

Xi was to visit Pakistan in 2014 during his South Asia trip to India, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives but postponed it due to political unrest.[8] In February 2015, some reports of Xi Jinping's trip to Pakistan to attend the Pakistan Day Parade came in the backdrop of US President Barack Obama's second visit to India to attend the Delhi Republic Day parade.[9] Pakistan also set to hold Pakistan Day parade after gap of 7 years since 2008.[10] However, in March 2015, National Security Advisor of Pakistan Sartaj Aziz cleared that President Xi may not visit Pakistan day parade but confirmed that he would be making his first state visit to Pakistan within the 'next few months.'[11] Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi also confirmed that Xi Jinping would be making his first state visit to Pakistan soon.[12]

Agreements

The details of the agreements signed between Pakistan and China:[13]

References

  1. ^ China's Xi Pours Money Into Pakistan, His ‘All-Weather’ Friend
  2. ^ Xi Jinping Heads to Pakistan, Bearing Billions in Infrastructure Aid
  3. ^ Pakistan lands $46 billion investment from China
  4. ^ China and Pakistan to open $46bn 'economic corridor'
  5. ^ What China's and Pakistan's special friendship means
  6. ^ "Pakistan confers highest civilian award on Chinese president". The Times of India. 21 April 2015. Retrieved 27 April 2015.
  7. ^ "Pakistan confers Nishan-e-Pakistan on Chinese president Xi Jinping". Hindustan Times. 21 April 2015. Archived from the original on 21 April 2015. Retrieved 27 April 2015.
  8. ^ "Chinese President Xi Jinping set to visit Pakistan next week". The Economic Times. 1 April 2015. Retrieved 27 April 2015.
  9. ^ "Chinese President Xi Jinping Unlikely to Participate in Pakistan National Day Parade". NDTV. 16 February 2015. Retrieved 27 April 2015.
  10. ^ "After 7-year gap, Pakistan Day to see military parade in full glory". Dawn. 2 February 2015. Retrieved 27 April 2015.
  11. ^ "Chinese President may not attend Pakistan Day parade: Sartaj Aziz". 6 March 2015. Retrieved 27 April 2015.
  12. ^ "Xi Jinping to make first state visit to Pakistan soon, says Chinese foreign minister". The Express Tribune. 12 February 2015. Retrieved 27 April 2015.
  13. ^ Agreements signed between Pakistan and China
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