Beijing, Feb 18 (IANS): Pakistan President Mamnoon Hussain arrived here Tuesday on a state visit at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping.

It will be Hussain's first official trip abroad since assuming office in September 2013. He will also be the first foreign head of state to visit China in the lunar New Year, reported Xinhua.

According to Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying, the two countries would issue a joint statement on their friendship and substantial cooperation.

During Hussain's stay, Xi will hold a welcome ceremony for him. Other Chinese leaders, including Premier Li Keqiang and top legislator Zhang Dejiang, will also meet him.

Before heading to Beijing, Hussain told reporters that he would ask China to speed up the implementation of bilateral agreements, especially on energy cooperation.

He will call for acceleration of the Pakistan-China Economic Corridor project.

Hussain will be in China Feb 18-21. Besides Beijing, he will travel to Shanghai.