Beijing, 12 June 2022 (TDI): A Pakistani tri-service military delegation of the highest rank visited the People’s Republic of China on Thursday.
The group met with high-ranking officials from the Chinese military and other government agencies to address a variety of topics.
Meanwhile, On June 12 a high level meeting was held, where the Pakistani side was led by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Qamar Javed Bajwa, while the Chinese side was led by General Zhang Youxia, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission of China.
Both parties shared their perspectives on the international and regional security issues and were pleased with the bilateral defence cooperation.
Moreover, during the meetings between the delegations, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was discussed, and both parties expressed a strong commitment to protecting the project from all dangers and false information.
In times of adversity, Pakistan and China reaffirmed their strategic alliance and pledged to maintain regular communication on matters of mutual concern.
Additionally, both parties agreed to enhance tri-service training, technology, and anti-terrorism cooperation.
Pakistan and China Defense Cooperation
China and Pakistan are strengthening their military and strategic relationship. This geopolitical partnership between China and Pakistan is noteworthy.
Strong military relations were established primarily to combat Indian and American influence in the region and prevent Soviet involvement.
Pakistan is China’s top arms importer, accounting for around 47 percent of Chinese weaponry imports, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.
Arms Equipment
China and Pakistan collaborate on a variety of military and armaments initiatives, including the production of the JF-17 Thunder fighter jet.
Similarly, China supplied the Pakistan Army with its initial batch of VT-4 battle tanks. Norinco, a Chinese state-owned defense corporation, supplied the VT-4 tanks to Pakistan in April 2020.
Not to be missed is Pakistan’s use of Chinese-made military drones or unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs) against India.
Joint Military Exercises
The increasing number of military exercises between China and Pakistan reflects the strengthening ties between the two militaries.
For instance, in May 2021, the two armed forces conducted a joint exercise near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Tibet, one of their most recent engagements.
In December of 2020, the Chinese PLA Air Force and Pakistani Air Force participated in Shaheen (Eagle) IX, a joint exercise in Sindh.
The purpose of these exercises was to promote the growth of China-Pakistan military-to-military ties, boost practical collaboration between the two air forces, and enhance the level of actual combat training on both sides.
Rationale for Strong Defense Ties
For decades, Pakistan has been an indispensable partner for China for a variety of reasons. The primary objective of the strategic partnership between India and the United States, as well as the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD), is to challenge China.
As a result, China’s reliance on Pakistan to combat India is growing. In the same way, the evolving situation in Afghanistan is another element contributing to China’s greater reliance on Pakistan.
Given the probability of a Taliban takeover, China has a number of reasons to establish working connections with the Taliban.
Also, the most important reason is the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which both nations have promised to defend against any threats and hostile propaganda.
As a result of these considerations, the existing robust military and strategic alliance between China and Pakistan will continue to strengthen.
