Pakistan army chief, Chinese leaders discuss defense modernization to confront transnational threats

Arab News

a day ago

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir has held a series of meetings with top Chinese political and military leaders and discussed with them defense modernization to combat transnational threats, the Pakistani military said on Friday.
The statement comes amid heightened tensions in South Asia after a four-day military standoff between Pakistan and India that saw the two neighbors attack each other with fighter jets, missiles, drones and artillery in their worst fighting in more than two decades.
Pakistan declared a victory in the standoff, saying its air force used Chinese J-10C aircraft to shoot down six Indian fighter jets, including three French Rafales, and the army targeted several Indian military installations during the recent flare-up.
Meanwhile, India plans to launch a $234 million incentive program for civil and military drone makers to reduce their reliance on imported components and counter rival Pakistan's program built on support from China and Turkiye, Reuters reported this month.
'These engagements featured comprehensive exchanges on defense and security cooperation, including counterterrorism collaboration, joint training, defense modernization, and enhanced institutional linkages,' the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Pakistani military's media wing said, after Field Marshal Munir's meetings with Chinese Vice President Han Zheng, Foreign Minister Wang Yi and top military commanders.
'Emphasis was placed on improving operational interoperability and strategic coordination to confront hybrid and transnational threats. The Chinese military leadership reiterated full confidence in the strength of the bilateral defense partnership and acknowledged Pakistan's pivotal role in promoting regional peace.'
The India-Pakistan conflict, triggered by an attack on tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir, offered the world a first real glimpse into how advanced Chinese military technology performs against proven Western hardware, with Chinese defense stocks surging as a result.
A rising military superpower, China hasn't fought a major war in more than four decades but has raced under President Xi Jinping to modernize its armed forces, pouring resources into developing sophisticated weaponry and cutting-edge technologies. It has also extended that modernization drive to Pakistan, long hailed by Beijing as its 'ironclad brother.'
Over the past five years, China has supplied 81 percent of Pakistan's imported weapons, according to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). Those exports include advanced fighter jets, missiles, radars and air-defense systems. Some Pakistan-made weapons have also been co-developed with Chinese firms or built with Chinese technology and expertise. Beijing is also investing over $60 billion to build infrastructure, energy and other projects in Pakistan as part of its China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.
India and China, on the other hand, are competing regional giants and nuclear powers and widely seen as long-term strategic rivals, sharing a 3,800 Himalayan border that has been disputed since the 1950s and sparked a brief war in 1962.
Field Marshal Munir's official visit reaffirms the 'ironclad strategic partnership' between Pakistan and China, the Pakistani military said.
'Discussions focused on the evolving regional and global political landscape, connectivity initiatives under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), and the need for coordinated responses to shared geopolitical challenges,' the ISPR said.
'Both sides expressed satisfaction over the depth of bilateral engagement and reiterated their shared commitment to sovereign equality, multilateral cooperation, and long-term regional stability. The Chinese leadership lauded the Pakistan Armed Forces as a cornerstone of resilience and a vital contributor to peace in South Asia.'
On the military side, Field Marshal Munir held meetings with General Zhang Youxia, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), General Chen Hui, Political Commissar of the PLA Army and Lt. Gen. Cai Zhai Jun, Chief of Staff of PLA Army.
Upon arrival at the PLA Army Headquarters, he was presented with a guard of honor, symbolizing the longstanding camaraderie between the two armed forces.
During the meetings, Field Marshal Munir appreciated China's consistent support and reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to further expanding military-to-military cooperation across all domains.
'The visit reflects the growing depth of politico-military ties between the two brotherly nations and underscores their shared resolve to advance regional security through sustained high-level dialogue and engagements,' the ISPR added.