ISLAMABAD: Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman visited the China’s Central Military Commission (CMC) on Tuesday and called on its Vice Chairman Gen Fan Changlong.

Both officials discussed various matters of professional interest and strategic cooperation.

While commenting on Pakistan-India relations and some recent remarks of the Indian foreign minister, the Air Chief Marshal Aman emphasised achievement of peace through dialogue under the umbrella of conventional balance.

He also stressed enhancement of military cooperation with China.

Also read: Air Marshal meets Chief of China’s Air Force

Both the officials expressed a firm resolve to accentuate the military cooperation between the two countries and with a pledge to explore new venues for undertaking technology intensive programmes as capacity building measures.

Earlier, the air chief also met Liu Jian Chao, the Chinese Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs on South Asia Affairs.

He lauded the sentiments emanating out of the recent visit to Pakistan of President Xi Jing Ping and said the event had left an indelible imprint.

He said this landmark visit has carved a new vista in realisation of strategic cooperation on the ‘economic corridor’. He said this strategic cooperation would yield far-reaching economic benefits and regional security was instrumental for this purpose.

He said the Pakistan Air Force was playing a lead role in eliminating terrorists’ hideouts, including ETIM elements.

The chief of the air force assured the Chinese leader of Pakistan’s efforts towards enhancing peace and stability in the region and said this could only be achieved through close and well coordinated cooperation.

The Chinese assistant minister assured the air chief of all out support to Pakistan and vowed that concerted efforts would be made for accomplishment of new avenues, including the economic corridor.

He said foolproof security arrangements should be made for this strategic venture.

The air chief is on a five-day visit to China.

Published in Dawn, June 3rd, 2015

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