Beijing, Feb 23 (IANS) Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao met visiting Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi here Tuesday, Xinhua reported.

In his meeting with Qureshi, Wen lauded the close ties between China and Pakistan and recalled his visit to Islamabad in 2005.

Qureshi, who arrived in Beijing Sunday, was the first foreign minister to visit China after the Lunar New Year holiday.

Qureshi gave his best wishes to Wen for the New Year, the Year of the Tiger. 'The tiger symbolises strength and I wish the Chinese people and government move from strength to strength this year,' he said.

'Wen and Qureshi exchanged views on the bilateral relationship and major international and regional issues,' the Chinese foreign ministry said in a statement.