China's President Xi Jinping will visit Pakistan this year, in what will be his first trip to the country's western neighbor since taking office in 2013.
Foreign Minister Wang Yi made the announcement in Pakistan's capital, where he spoke of the two countries' "all-weather" friendship.
Xi was scheduled to go to Pakistan last year, but the trip was postponed due to anti-government protests in Pakistan.
"Wang Yi said President Xi Jinping will make a state visit to Pakistan at the earliest possible date this year," a statement posted to the Foreign Ministry's website late on February 12 said.
"This will be President Xi's first visit to Pakistan as head of state, and the first visit by a Chinese president in nine years," Wang said, adding that China-Pakistan relations should be a model for the region.
Based on reporting by Reuters
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