ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s army and the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) are bound together by a shared commitment to regional peace and protection of strategic interests, Chief of Defense Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir said on Saturday.
Munir’s remarks were shared by the Pakistani military’s media wing, the ISPR, on the 99th anniversary of the founding of the PLA. A ceremony was organized at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi in the presence of senior Pakistani and Chinese military and civilian officials to pay tribute to the PLA.
China is not only a strategic ally and investor in Pakistan, but also a critical defense partner of the South Asian country. Both countries regularly enjoy cooperation in several military domains. Both also have a common rival in India, with whom Pakistan was engaged in a brief military confrontation last year in May.
“He reaffirmed that Pakistan Armed Forces and the PLA are true partners, bound by mutual trust, unwavering support and a shared commitment to regional peace,” the ISPR said.
The Pakistani chief of defense forces paid tribute to the PLA’s “remarkable” contributions to China’s defense, national development and international peace and security, the ISPR said.
He observed that the friendship between the two countries is unique, time-tested and has remained steadfast in the face of evolving regional and global challenges.
Zaidong thanked the Pakistani military chief for hosting the event and acknowledged the Pakistan Armed Forces’ significant contributions in the fight against “terrorism,” the ISPR said.
Pakistan has also sought Chinese cooperation in its bid to broker peace between the United States and Iran since the two countries were embroiled in conflict since February.
Pakistani leaders have engaged with Chinese leadership in recent months, with both urging the US and Iran to exercise restraint amid surging tensions.
