On December 17, local time, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao arrived in Islamabad by special plane, kicking off his official visit to Pakistan.

In his written speech delivered at the airport, Wen said Pakistan is an important country in this region. "China and Pakistan are all-weather cooperation partners. 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," said Wen. It is in the fundamental interest of the two countries and their peoples and is also conducive to peace, stability and development of the region and the world at large. He expressed belief that this visit will further push bilateral strategic cooperative partnership to a new high.

Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and other senior officials, as well as Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Liu Jian welcomed Premier Wen at the airport. Gilani held a grand welcome ceremony for Wen at the airport.

During the visit, Wen is expected to exchange in-depth views with Pakistani leaders on issues of common concern and engage broadly with Pakistani personnel from all walks of life.

Wen arrived in Islamabad after concluding his official visit to India. Upon leaving New Delhi, Wen was seen off at the airport by senior officials from the Indian government, Chinese Ambassador to India Zhang Yan and other officials.