ISLAMABAD: Army Chief Gen Raheel Sharif concluded his two-day China trip on Monday by calling for greater international support for Pakistan to win its fight against terrorism.

Military spokesman Maj Gen Asim Bajwa, who accompanied the army chief, said in a twitter post before starting the journey back home, that Gen Sharif while thanking the Chinese leaders for hosting him emphasised that “world must understand evolving environment. Greater international focus, coordination needed to logically conclude fight against terrorism”.

Gen Sharif visited China to meet civilian and political leadership for discussions on defence and security cooperation.

During the visit, the Chinese leadership voiced strong support for Pakistan that has been battling militancy for over a decade. The fight against terrorism entered a new phase after the tragic Dec 16 Peshawar school massacre.

Gen Bajwa said long-term defence collaboration, security and counter-terrorism cooperation, intelligence sharing, and training exchanges were agreed during the army chief’s meetings in Beijing.

The senior Chinese leaders, who met the army chief on the last day of his visit, included Foreign Minister Wang Yi, top political adviser Yu Zhengsheng and domestic security czar Meng Jianzhu.

Gen Bajwa quoted Foreign Minister Yi as having told Gen Sharif that “Pakistan is China’s irreplaceable all-weather friend, both countries part of community of shared destiny.”

Yu Zhengsheng, Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference – China’s top political advisory body, expressed similar support for Pakistan.

Mr Yu was quoted by the military spokesman as having said: “Pakistan is our most reliable friend. Chinese government and people will stand by Pakistan and help it in all respects.”

Mr Yu is also responsible for the troubled Xinjiang province.

Gen Sharif’s meeting with Mr Yu suggested that the army chief would have specifically spoken about the action his troops had taken against the East Turkestan Islamic Movement, particularly during Zarb-i-Azb Operation.

Member of the all-powerful Politburo Standing Committee Meng, speaking about the continued Chinese support for Pakistan said: “China has a consistent policy towards Pakistan, which is beyond individuals. Pakistan’s concern is China’s concern.”

Gen Sharif had on Sunday met his counterpart General Qi Jianguo and General Fan Changlong, vice chairman of China’s powerful Central Military Commission.

It is, however, unclear what the strong expression of support from the Chinese civilian and military leadership would mean for Pakistan’s counter-terrorism plans.

Published in Dawn January 27th, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play