ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, (AP) – Chinese President Hu Jintao received a red carpet welcome to Pakistan on Thursday on a trip aimed at expanding economic ties with Beijing’s longtime ally, including signing a free trade agreement between the two countries, a Pakistan diplomat said.

Hu and Pakistani President Gen. Pervez Musharraf will sign a raft of economic deals on Friday that aim at expanding a burgeoning bilateral trade relationship that grew 39 percent last year to $4.26 billion.

Salman Bashir, Pakistan’s envoy to China, said the free trade agreement will be the most important document signed during Hu’s four-day visit.