BEIJING, July 18: Pakistan and China have agreed to conduct joint maritime exercise strengthening their bilateral cooperation in the defence sector.
The agreement to the effect was reached in the second round of defence and security talks held here between Vice Chief of Army Staff Gen Mohammad Yusaf Khan and Deputy Chief of Staff of People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Gen Xiong Guangkai.
Defence sources said on Friday that it would be for the first time that the PLA navy would be conducting joint maritime exercise with any foreign navy.
The sources said that time and place for conducting the joint exercise would be decided through mutual consultation.
Meanwhile Gen Yusaf said he held useful and productive talks with the Chinese leadership to further strengthen the existing bilateral relations in the defence sector.
“There was a complete unanimity of views on all matters of bilateral, regional and international interest,” he said while talking to newsmen at a local hotel here on Thursday night.
Terming his visit to China as highly successful, Gen Yusaf said, the Chinese side during the talks reassured their complete support to Pakistan strengthening its self-defence capability and persuading the cause of peace and stability in the region.
He said: “It has been re-established that our deep-rooted and strong all weather friendship is not going to be affected by any extraneous factor”.
Gen Yusaf said the Sino-Pakistan friendship is of strategic significance and it has been an important factor of peace and stability in the region. He said he was returning home with complete satisfaction. He said the visit helped to develop tremendous understanding and cooperation in their bilateral relations.
The general said the second round of defence and security dialogue held between the military leadership of the two countries will broaden the spectrum of strategic relationship. “We discussed all matters of bilateral interest relating to military-to-military cooperation,” he added.
Earlier, Pakistan Ambassador to China Riaz Mohammad Khan hosted banquet for the visiting military delegation and General Xiong Guangkai, Deputy Chief of General Staff of PLA.
Gen Xiong in his address said the visit of General Yusaf to China would go a long way in the defence relations of the two countries. Their defence cooperation, he added, would remain everlasting, meeting the future requirements.
Mr Khan in his brief remarks said the defence cooperation between the two countries is the central pillar of their bilateral ties. The talks held during the visit would undoubtedly contribute to further strengthening their bilateral ties.
He said the Sino-Pakistan relations are of strategic importance rooted in popular ethos and common interests of the people of the two countries.
During the meeting with Gen Yusaf on Thursday, the Chinese vice President Zeng Qinghong welcomed the in-depth and friendly exchanges that the two sides had during the visit.—APP
