BEIJING: Pakistan and China have agreed on further promoting bilateral, defence and strategic ties. General Qamar Javed Bajwa Chief of Army Staff (COAS) is on an official visit to China for two days.

During visit, COAS called on General Wei Fenghe, Chinese Defence Minister. General Wei Fenghe said that China greatly values its time-tested relations with Pakistan and its Army and looks forward to further expanding this cooperation. He said that development of CPEC is aimed at bringing more benefits & prosperity to people of both countries and termed Pak-China military cooperation as an important pillar of bilateral relations.

Defence Minister thanked COAS for special measures taken for provision of safe and secure environment to CPEC projects in Pakistan and efforts towards regional stability. He expressed satisfaction over progress on CPEC and hoped for timely completion of project. He conveyed his grief over devastation caused by ongoing floods in Pakistan due to climate changes and offered sincere condolence to families of victims.

He said that China is willing to provide technical assistance for flood relief efforts in Pakistan and also appreciated Pakistan Army’s rescue and relief efforts in flood affected areas. COAS thanked Defence Minister for his sentiments and continued Chinese support to Pakistan.

Sources told that China has enhanced aid for flood affectees to Rs 15.8 billion which comes to 71.3 million dollars. 100 million Yuan are being provided on humanitarian grounds under emergency basis. Chinese government will provide 300 million Yuan for flood victims.  Peoples Liberation Army has announced 100 million Yuan aid for flood affectees.

According to a statement issued by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), during the meeting, the two sides agreed that the CEPC is aimed at bringing “more benefits and prosperity to the people of both countries.”

The defence minister said that China greatly values its time-tested relations with Pakistan and its army and looks forward to further expanding this cooperation. He termed Pak-China military cooperation “an important pillar of bilateral relations.”

He offered sincere condolences to the families of the victims and appreciated Pakistan Army’s rescue and relief efforts in flood-affected areas.

Meanwhile, the army chief thanked the defence minister for his sentiments for continued Chinese support toward Pakistan.

Published in The Daily National Courier, September, 20 2022

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