Foreign ministers of China and Pakistan on Monday met in Beijing to pave the way for Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari's upcoming visit.

As a guest of President Hu Jintao, Zardari will pay a state visit to China from Oct. 14 to 17.

"Zardari's visit, his first trip abroad since assuming office in September, showcases the great importance the Pakistan president and his administration has given to the bilateral strategic and cooperative partnership," Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said.

Yang termed the visit "an important engagement" between two leaderships since the founding of Pakistan's new government.

"China expects the visit to step up bilateral political, economic and trade cooperation and move the China-Pakistan ties forward."

Yang's counterpart Shah Mahmoud Qurishi said the two nations shared a fraternal friendship and the new Pakistan administration cherished its relation with China.

He said Pakistan hoped the visit would boost bilateral cooperation in economic, trade and cultural areas.

(Xinhua News Agency October 13, 2008)