Chinese Premier Li Keqiang vowed to strengthen his country's partnership with Pakistan as he arrived on May 22 for a visit less than two weeks after the country's general election. The long-time allies will look to use the two-day trip to boost trade ties, and Li will meet prime minister-elect Nawaz Sharif - who has not yet been sworn in - as well as holding talks with senior officials.

China and Pakistan should make cooperation on power generation a priority, Li said, as Islamabad seeks to end an energy crisis that triggers power cuts of up to 20 hours a day, bringing the economy to a near standstill. Li arrived in the Pakistan capital on Wednesday on the second leg of his first official trip since taking office in March after a visit to Pakistan's and China's arch rival, India.