The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir and China’s State Councilor Wang Yi met on Friday to emphasize the importance of a strong military collaboration between Pakistan and China to ensure regional peace. The meeting was part of Gen Asim Munir’s four-day visit to China to enhance bilateral military relations.
Pakistan’s envoy in China, Moin ul Haque, shared the details of the meeting, stating that “the two sides reaffirmed China-Pakistan all-weather strategic partnership and underlined the importance of their strong defense cooperation for peace and stability in the region.”
During his visit, Gen Asim Munir also met with the commander of the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) at the PLA Headquarters to discuss the regional security situation and the need for maintaining peace and stability in the region. Both officials also reiterated the need to enhance military-to-military cooperation.
The army chief’s visit to China highlights the importance of the strong bond between Pakistan and China, which has only strengthened in recent years. Both countries have been strategic partners for several decades, with China being one of Pakistan’s largest trading partners and the biggest investor in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a multi-billion dollar infrastructure project that connects Pakistan’s Gwadar Port with China’s northwestern region of Xinjiang.
In addition to economic cooperation, the two countries have also been cooperating on various security issues, including counterterrorism and military-to-military cooperation. Pakistan has long been a key ally of China in the region, with both countries sharing a common interest in maintaining peace and stability in South Asia.
The strong defense cooperation between Pakistan and China is not only beneficial for both countries but also for the region as a whole. The two countries have been working together to counter regional security threats, including terrorism, and to promote peace and stability in the region.
Furthermore, the close ties between Pakistan and China are also seen as a counterbalance to India’s growing influence in the region. India’s increasing economic and military ties with the United States and other Western powers have raised concerns among its neighbors, including Pakistan and China.
Gen Asim Munir’s visit to China underscores the importance of the close and strategic relationship between Pakistan and China. The two countries’ strong defense cooperation is crucial for ensuring regional peace and stability, and both sides have reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing their military-to-military cooperation. The relationship between Pakistan and China is an important factor in the region’s geopolitics and is likely to remain so in the foreseeable future.