Pakistan Army chief meets top leaders in China on his first visit to China
Pakistan and China have vowed to further enhance military cooperation especially in weapons and anti-terrorism sectors, after a meeting between two senior military officers of the two countries in Beijing.
General Qamar Javed Bajwa held meetings at Beijing with Mr. Zhang Gaoli Executive Vice Premier, General Fan Changlong Vice Chairman Central Military Commission, General Fang Funghui, Chief of Joint Services Department and General Li Zuocheng Commander People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and discussed matters related to regional security, economy, defence cooperation and mutual interests. Both sides agreed to continue and further increase their military to military cooperation.
General Qamar Javed Bajwa also held a meeting with Fang Fenghui, chief of the Joint Staff Department under the Central Military Commission of China, during his first visit to China after taking charge as Pakistan Army Chief in November 2016.
China is willing to advance the mutual military cooperation in all aspects, Fan said, adding that there is an all-weather friendship between China and Pakistan and a fraternal friendship between the people of both countries.
Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa has reiterated that Pakistan Army will continue to positively contribute towards regional stability and security.
PArmy Chief who is on a three-day official visit to China expressed this resolve during meetings with Chinese political and military leadership in Beijing on Thursday.
“The Chinese leadership expressed complete understanding of the geo-political and economic-cum-security environment of the region and its implications for both the countries,” a statement issued by ISPR said.
“They acknowledged the positive role being played by Pakistan towards peace and stability in the region with special mention of Pakistan’s role in eliminating terrorist groups including Al Qaeda, Tehreek-e-Taliban and the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM) from Pakistan,” it said.
Qamar Javed Bajwa also thanked Chinese leadership for sending its Army contingent for participation in Pakistan Day Parade.
The two sides also vowed on Thursday to ensure the safety of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), an important part of China’s Belt and Road initiative.
Masood Khalid, Pakistani Ambassador to China, said at a news conference on Tuesday that Pakistan has deployed more than 15,000 troops to protect the CPEC, and the country’s navy has raised a contingent for the protection of Gwadar Port.
Proposed in 2013 by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, the 3,000-kilometer CPEC links Kashgar in Northwest China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region with Pakistan’s Gwadar Port.