China's new Premier Li Keqiang will visit Pakistan next week, allowing the two 'all-weather' allies to give further impetus to their strategic ties. Li's two-day visit from May 22-23 comes at the invitation of President Asif Ali Zardari. It will be Li's first visit to Pakistan after becoming premier and comes at a time when the country has held its landmark general elections.      

"A warm welcome awaits him," Foreign Office spokesman Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry said in a brief statement. The visit will provide the Chinese premier an opportunity to meet the new leadership in Pakistan, he said.        

"The visit also provides further impetus to our strategic relations. These friendly ties and the friendship with China is the cornerstone of Pakistan's foreign policy," Chaudhry said.