China, Pakistan to discuss economic corridor

China and Pakistan are expected to discuss the construction of an economic corridor linking the two neighboring countries during Pakistani President Mamnoon Hussain's state visit to China this week, the official Xinhua News Agency reported Tuesday."The two sides will discuss how to further practical cooperation in various fields, including promoting construction of the China-Pakistan economic corridor and maintaining close communication and cooperation in international and regional affairs," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying was quoted as saying.During his stay in Beijing, Hussain,who arrived here earlier on tuesday, will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Keqiang and top legislator Zhang Dejiang. The two sides will issue a joint statement on their determination to further friendship and deepen practical cooperation, according to the spokeswoman. It will be the first foreign trip for Hussain since he took office last year. The two countries are expected to increase trade volume, which is around USD 12 billion to USD 15 billion in the next five years, Xinhua said in a separate report.