Military officials of Pakistan and China held talks on counter-terrorism and regional security amid unease following the recent attacks on Chinese nationals.
General Zhang Youxia, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC) China and one of Beijing's top military leaders, who is in Pakistan along with a high-level delegation, held a one-on-one meeting with Army Chief Gen Asim Munir on Wednesday. Following the meeting between the two, there were delegation-level discussions focused on matters of mutual interest, regional security dynamics, measures for regional stability, and enhancing bilateral defence cooperation.
General Zhang spoke about Pakistan's ongoing counter-terrorism efforts, which remain a major topic of discussion between the two countries in the wake of incidents of frequent attacks on Chinese nationals working in Pakistan.
General Munir spoke about the resilience of Pakistan-China relations, highlighting their ability to withstand shifts in international and regional dynamics, and thanked Beijing for its unwavering support for Pakistan. He affirmed that this historic partnership has withstood the test of time and is poised to grow further.
General Zhang praised Pakistan's dedication to the strategic partnership and reaffirmed China's commitment to strengthening the enduring bilateral relationship, according to a statement.
According to a report in Dawn, Beijing is reportedly seeking a more proactive role in ensuring the safety of its citizens in Pakistan, but the Foreign Office has emphasised that counter-terrorism cooperation between the two countries is based on mutual respect for each other's sovereignty.
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Under the regional stability head, China and Pakistan exchanged views about India's role in the region and the developments in Afghanistan, particularly the presence of terrorist groups, according to the Dawn report.
Meanwhile, over 300 Chinese troops arrived in Pakistan to take part in the joint China-Pakistan anti-terrorism exercise, Warrior-VIII. The opening ceremony for the drills was held on Wednesday. The joint drill, which will continue till mid-December, aims to enhance joint counter-terrorism operational capabilities.