China's PLA Ground Forces Commander meets PM, affirms strong strategic ties

Gen Li affirms China’s commitment to its relationship with Pakistan, referring to the country as an ‘iron brother’

ISLAMABAD:

General Li Qiaoming, Commander of the Ground Forces of China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA), met with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday, reaffirming the deep and strategic relationship between the two nations.

Prime Minister Shehbaz extended a warm welcome to General Li, emphasising that Pakistan and China are "All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partners" and trusted friends.

He highlighted that the relationship between the two countries enjoys widespread support across Pakistan’s public, political, and institutional spheres, making it crucial for their mutual progress and development.

The prime minister expressed satisfaction with the growing military-to-military exchanges, noting that the defence and strategic ties between Pakistan and China are essential for regional peace and stability. He described these ties as the bedrock of their bilateral relationship.

In his remarks, General Li affirmed China’s commitment to its relationship with Pakistan, referring to the country as an "iron brother" and a reliable strategic partner. He expressed China’s desire to elevate their friendship to new levels of cooperation and collaboration.

General Li also recognised the role of Pakistan’s armed forces in promoting regional peace and combating terrorism, reiterating the PLA’s commitment to expanding cooperation with Pakistan to enhance the capacity building of both armed forces.

The discussions focused on various aspects of the Pakistan-China friendship, particularly their bilateral defence and strategic partnership.