Page 7 · Opinion

Peking welcomes Bhutto

PEKING: Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and members of his delegation arrived here today [May 26] from Pyongyang to an enthusiastic airport welcome, and started formal talks with Chinese leaders shortly afterwards. The basic strength and stability of Sino-Pakistani relations were also stressed in an editorial today in the People’s Daily. Special representative [News agencies add,] Premier Hua Kuofeng, Foreign Minister Chiao Kuan-hua, Minister of Foreign Trade Li Chiang and a crowd of well-wishers were at the airport to accord the distinguished Pakistani guests a warm welcome. An old friend of the Chinese people, Prime Minister Bhutto has visited China on many occasions and contributed to the ‘ever-growing friendship’ between China and Pal(istan. To welcome Prime Minister Bhutto on his current visit, the Chinese capital was decl(ed out festively. Red lanterns hung on Tienanmen Gate. ... A grand ceremony of welcome took place at the airport... . ... Earlier, a warm send off had been given to Prime Minister Bhutto when he left Pyongyang today [May 26] for Pel(ing on the conclusion of his six-day trip to Korea. He was seen off at the airport by President Marshal Kim Il Sung and the high cadre of the Party, besides senior officials and diplomats. A 21-gun salute boomed out as he boarded the plane.