RAWALPINDI: Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa said on Thursday that in the evolving security milieu Pakistan-China partnership was be­­coming increasingly import­ant for regional peace and stability.

He was speaking at a ceremony held at GHQ to commemorate the 94th anniversary of the founding of China’s Peoples’ Liberation Army (PLA). Gen Bajwa was the chief guest on the occasion.

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

The COAS felicitated the PLA’s leadership and lauded its role in China’s defence, security and nation-building.

Highlighting various facets of deep-rooted ties betw­een the two states, militaries and peoples, Gen Bajwa said that Pakistan-China relation­ship was unique and robust that has proven its resilience in the face of challenges.

The PLA and Pakistan Army are brothers in arms and their relationship would continue to contribute towards safeguarding their collective interests, he said.

China’s Defence Attaché thanked Gen Bajwa for hosting the reception.

Recalling Chinese President Xi Jinping’s view that Pakistan’s armed forces are the mainstay of Pak-China strategic relations, the defence attaché said China and Pakistan are iron brothers. No matter how the world situation changes, they would always stand together in safeguarding the national sovereignty, territorial integrity and maintaining regional peace and stability.

Published in Dawn, July 30th, 2021