ISLAMABAD: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa has said that in the evolving security milieu, Pakistan-China partnership is becoming increasingly important for regional peace and stability.

“Our past and present testifies that we never given in to challenges,” said the army chief while speaking as a chief guest at a ceremony held at the Pakistan Army’s General Headquarters to mark the 94th anniversary of the founding of Chinese Peoples’ Liberation Army (PLA), according to the official handout issued by the ISPR.

“The PLA and Pakistan Army are brothers in arms. Our relationship will continue to contribute towards safeguarding our collective interests,” said the COAS.

Ambassador of China to Pakistan Nong Rong, Defence Attache Major General Chen Wenrong, officials from Chinese Embassy and officers from tri-services of Pakistan also attended the event.

Speaking on the occasion, China’s defence attaché thanked the COAS for hosting a reception on the eve of the PLA’s 94th anniversary.

Recalling Chinese President Xi Jinping’s view that Pakistan armed forces were the mainstay of Pak-China strategic relations, the defence attaché said China and Pakistan were iron brothers, all-weather friends and strategic partners.

“No matter how the world situation changes, we will always stand together in safeguarding our national sovereignty, territorial integrity and maintaining regional peace and stability,” he said.

Published in Dawn, July 30th, 2021