Pakistan's Gilani In China Amid U.S. Rift

Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani

Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has arrived in Beijing.

Gilani's four-day trip to China comes amid Pakistani anger over the U.S. raid that killed Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden on Pakistani soil on May 2.

Gilani's visit is formally presented as part of celebrations of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties.

He is scheduled to meet with top Chinese leaders and oversee the signing of a series of agreements beginning May 18.

Gilani singled out China in a May 9 speech to parliament as Islamabad's "all-weather friend."

China has pledged to invest up to $30 billion in Pakistan over the next five years, according to agreements signed last year.

China supports Pakistan's nuclear-power industry and is the main arms supplier to Pakistan, which sees Beijing as an important counterbalance to Pakistan's traditional rival India.

India has recently firmed up its ties with the United States, causing worry in Islamabad.

compiled from agency reports