BEIJING, (DNA) – Prime Minister Imran Khan will arrive in Chinese commercial and industrial hub Shanghai to attend the opening of China International Import Expo (CIIE) on November 5, officials said here on Sunday.

The Chinese government has granted the status of “Guest of Honor” to Pakistan at the CIIE, to be held till November 10.

This will ensure the provision of all possible facilities and benefits to the Pakistani pavilion. It is also a reflection of special gesture of goodwill towards Pakistan, especially when the country’s Prime Minister is going to participate in it.

According to Pakistan’s Ambassador Masood Khalid, a pavilion of Pakistani companies exporting various items to China would be set up at the expo. This will facilitate enhancing Pakistan’s export to China and to improve its balance of trade position between the two countries.

Imran Khan would pay a week long official visit to China from November 3rd, at the invitation of the Chinese government.

He would first arrive in Beijing where he would meet Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang and other senior civil military leaders, before leaving for Shanghai. The Chinese government attaches high importance to the visit, hoping it would lead to furthering strengthening of their socio-economic partnership, particularly in context of CPEC.

Meanwhile, Shanghai, host of the event, has reached the final stage of its preparations, while products from all over the world have been arriving in the city.

The CIIE is China’s first expo event that is expected to give firm support to trade liberalization and economic globalization, and actively open the Chinese market to the world, according to its official website.

A total of 2,800 companies from all the G20 member states, as well as 50 countries and regions along the Belt and Road will participate in the expo.