Rawalpindi (TDI): Pakistan and China have reiterated their longstanding “ironclad” friendship, vowing to strengthen their strategic partnership and deepen defense cooperation, as Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir wrapped up a series of high-level meetings in Beijing on Friday.
According to the military’s media wing, ISPR, the visit served to highlight the growing depth of political and military ties between the two countries, and the shared commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the region.
Field Marshal Munir held wide-ranging talks with key Chinese officials, including Vice President Han Zheng and Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The discussions focused on regional geopolitics, global challenges, and enhancing connectivity through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Both sides praised the strength of their bilateral ties, emphasizing mutual respect, multilateral cooperation, and a joint resolve to uphold regional harmony and sovereign equality.
The Chinese leadership hailed Pakistan’s armed forces as a key pillar of stability in South Asia, describing them as a “cornerstone of resilience” and a reliable force for peace in the region.
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In meetings with top Chinese military leaders, including General Zhang Youxia, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), and other senior PLA officials, Munir discussed strengthening defense ties and enhancing operational coordination.
He was welcomed with a formal guard of honour at the PLA Army Headquarters, reflecting the strong military bond between the two countries.
Topics discussed included counterterrorism cooperation, joint military exercises, defense modernization, and ways to counter emerging threats like hybrid warfare and transnational terrorism.
Chinese generals voiced full confidence in the future of the Pakistan-China defense partnership and recognized Islamabad’s key role in fostering regional peace.
Field Marshal Munir, for his part, thanked Beijing for its consistent support and reiterated that Pakistan remains fully committed to expanding cooperation in all areas of defense.
Vice President Han Zheng, in comments reported by Chinese state media, described the China-Pakistan relationship as one grounded in “deep trust, shared hardship, and a common vision for the future.”
He said Beijing is ready to work with Islamabad to implement the consensus reached between the leadership of both countries and to accelerate progress on building what he called a “China-Pakistan community with a shared future.”
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Field Marshal Munir affirmed that maintaining strong ties with China is a national consensus in Pakistan, and said the military is aligned with national efforts to support China’s major international initiatives.
He added that Pakistan “firmly stands with China” and is ready to play its role in taking the partnership to new heights.
Farkhund Yousafzai is an Associate Editor at The Diplomatic Insight.
