ISLAMABAD, Sept 5: Chinese Chief of General Staff Gen Liang Guanglie heading a high level delegation called on Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali on Friday and discussed matters related to cooperation in different fields including defence production between the two countries.

Gen Liang Guanglie appreciated the efforts by the two countries to strengthen the friendship and bilateral cooperation. He said Prime Minister Jamali being the first foreign leader received by the new generation of Chinese leadership showed the strong relations between the two countries.

Prime Minister Jamali said both the countries shared a long history of unshakeable friendship, understanding and cooperation.

“Respect and trust is perpetual from both sides and besides political and military side of cooperation, we may now embark on economic trade and people to people contact,” the prime minister added.

He said China had always helped Pakistan in developing its industrial infrastructure. He specially mentioned the Heavy Industries Taxila, which had evolved with the passage of time to become the backbone of industrial development in Pakistan.

He also mentioned the mutually developed Jet Fighter JF-17 Thunder which made its successful test flight in China early this week and termed the aircraft a much-awaited reinforcement to Pakistani defence and a landmark in Sino-Pakistan defence cooperation history.

He appreciated Chinese assistance and cooperation in projects like Heavy Mechanical Complex, SANDAK Mines, Gwadar Deep Seaport and JF-17 project and stressed the need for exchange of youth in educational and training institutions.

The meeting was attended by Chinese ambassador Zhang Chunxiang, Major General Farooq Ahmad Khan, DG OPS and Plans, JSHQ and other high ranking military officials from both the sides.

General Liang Guanglie also visited the General Headquarters and called on the Vice Chief of Army Staff General Mohammad Yousaf.

The meeting was also attended by the Chief of General Staff, Lt Gen Shahid Aziz and other senior officers of the General Headquarters.

Welcoming the Chinese delegation, Gen Yousaf said, “We are immensely proud of our eternal friendship with China.” He said the strategic cooperation between Pakistan and China was corner stone of Pakistan’s foreign policy.

General Muhammad Yousaf said, “Our defence cooperation in particular has been a pillar of strength for this relationship. More importantly our friendship has been a fundamental factor in maintaining stability and peace in South Asia.” —APP