Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Chinese Ambassador in Islamabad Sun Weidong on Monday said that Pak-China military-to-military collaboration was the pillar of the bilateral relationship.

“China and Pakistan are all-weather strategic cooperative partners. No matter what was happening in the world and the region, our relationship has withstood the test of time. Military-to-military cooperation between Pakistan and China is pillar of this bilateral relationship,” said Chinese envoy while addressing a reception held to mark the 90th anniversary of the foundation of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), here at a local hotel.

“Pakistan and China are closely working to execute CPEC project. We are building win-win cooperation and a community of the shared destiny,” he told the gathering.

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa, in his speech as the chief guest, said that Pakistan and China had been actively cooperating with each other in all fields including the war against terror and will continue to support each other come rain or shine. “From diplomatic cooperation to security collaboration, we have stood by each other through thick and thin and shall continue to stand shoulder to shoulder, come rain or shine,” he said.

Gen Bajwa praised China for providing unconditional support to Pakistan’s efforts for reconciliation in Afghanistan, especially at the platform of Quadrilateral Coordination Group (QCG). “Today, this close collaboration spans over a wider canvas than ever before and ranges across strategic initiatives like China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, defence collaboration in numerous joint projects and united diplomatic front internationally,” he said.

Talking about opportunities and challenges the region is faced with, the army chief stressed that both the countries shared the responsibility of ensuring peace and stability in the region. “Today, both China and Pakistan are faced with similar challenges and opportunities. Both countries have assumed shared responsibility towards stability in the region and prosperity of our people. This unity of purpose has led to the consolidation and has strengthened our resolve as determined nations, to brave all challenges and storms together,” Gen Bajwa said.

“Pakistan is indebted to China for its unflinching support to our perspective at all international forums, may it be expansion of Nuclear Suppliers Group, Kashmir issue or Pakistan’s full membership of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization,” the COAS said.

The army chief hoped that collaboration between the two armies will continue to expand to bring peace to the region in general and China and Pakistan in particular.

Chinese Military, Naval and Air Attaché Major General Chen Wenrong praised the growing Sino-Pak relations, reaffirming his country’s commitment to strengthen this every-green relationship.

Published in Daily Times, August 1^st , 2017.