President Pervez Musharraf Thursday left on a six-day state visit for China to discuss bilateral relations, regional and international issues besides talks with Chinese leaders to further strengthen defence and trade cooperation, officials said. The President was seen off at the Chaklala Airbase near Islamabad by Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, Senate Chairman Muhammadmian Soomro, Chief of the Army Staff, General Ashfaq Pervaiz Kayani, Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Tanvir Mahmood Ahmad, Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan, Luo Zhaohui and senior civil and military officials. Musharraf is being accompanied by Minister for Foreign Affairs Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Minister for Defence Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar, Chairmen of Higher Education Commission, Trade Development Authority of Pakistan and the Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission. The visit undertaken at the invitation of Chinese President Hu Jintao is part of regular high-level interaction between the two countries that is reflective of close bilateral ties.
