'Yellow flowers' - symbol of hate - kept out of sight as China's Xi visits Pakistan

Islamabad: As Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Pakistan, mainly with the intention of signing agreements promising investment worth $46 billions, the hosts kept in mind the likes and dislikes of their special guest, especially keeping 'yellow flowers' out of his sight and maintaining the room temperature at 24 degrees.

According to a report in the Pakistani newspaper the Dawn, protocol duty officers in Pakistan were instructed to avoid yellow flowers in the floral arrangements on the routes and venues where the Chinese President Xi Jinping was scheduled to arrive.

The instruction came from Chinese protocol team which explained that yellow flowers symbolised hatred according to the Chinese tradition, an official told the Dawn.

Another element that was taken special care of during the Chinese Premier's visit was that of temperature. According to the report in the Dawn, Pakistani officials maintained 24 degrees as the temperatures at the meeting venues so as to avoid discomfiting the visit leader.

Also, the Chinese flag was instructed to be position right to the Pakistani flag, report added.

Xi, who arrived in Islamabad on Monday on a two-day visit, has brought with him investment projects worth $45 billion in energy and infrastructure construction- the lion's share of which would focus on building a China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

China and Pakistan long have maintained close political and military relations, based partly on mutual antipathy toward neighbor India. However, stronger China-India ties have challenged that perception and Xi's visit seems intended to reassure Pakistan.

Xi postponed a visit to Islamabad last year due to anti-government protests in Pakistan and instead traveled to India. China also is eager to boost trade and investment with New Delhi, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit Beijing in the coming weeks.

China is a leading arms supplier to Pakistan and has sought its help in combating anti-Chinese Islamic separatists reportedly hiding in Pakistan's lawless tribal areas. China also wants to enlist Pakistan's help in stabilizing Afghanistan as U.S. and international troops wind down their presence there.

With Agency Inputs