Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf will attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games scheduled on Aug. 8, said Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad Sadiq on Monday.

"At the invitation of the Chinese government, President Pervez Musharraf will be visiting China to attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics," said Sadiq at a news briefing.

Sadiq said Musharraf will also meet with the Chinese leadership including Chinese President Hu Jintao during his China tour.

"The participation of the President of Pakistan in this mega event and his interaction with Chinese leaders will provide further impetus to our close and traditional ties with China," Sadiq said.

Pakistan had hosted the Olympic torch relay in April, and both Musharraf and Pakistani Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani attended the torch relay ceremony.

The Pakistani Olympic squad consisting of 21 players and 14 officials will leave for China on Thursday, with field hockey as best hopes for a Olympic medal.

Besides the hockey players, the other athletes will compete in the events of athletics, shooting and swimming.

(Xinhua News Agency July 29, 2008)