Islamabad  - Pakistani Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Monday left for China to attend a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization scheduled for October 14 in Beijing.

During his four-day visit, Gilani was to call on Chinese President Hu Jintao, Prime Minister Wen Jiabao and other top leaders, state-run Pakistan Television reported.

The Pakistani premier said his visit would promote economic and defence cooperation between Pakistan and China as well as strengthen cultural and social relations.

China is Pakistan's main military equipment supplier, and it has been helping the nuclear-armed Muslim country in developing large infrastructure projects. (dpa)