Islamabad:
Pakistan will continue to continue a strategic partnership with China, rejecting the perception that its close ties with the United States could be done at the detriment of Beijing.
On Friday, two declarations – one of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the other of the ISPR – pronounced a clear message that the relationship of Pakistan with China was “unique” and that the two parties would support themselves, whatever the changing strategic dynamics.
Since the unprecedented reset in the relationship between Pakistan and the United States, there have been murmurs and skeptics that fear that the proximity of Washington will allow Islamabad to maintain the distance from China.
“I will not agree with this perception”, the spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Shafqat Ali Khan, replied categorically. “China is a very close friend and an iron brother. We enjoy a strategic partnership distributed over the decades. It is a unique relationship between two sympathetic neighboring countries and has nothing to do with the type of relationships that we are pursuing with other countries.”
“Pakistani-Chinese relations are based on the principles of international law and the Charter of the United Nations. Our relations remain robust and the two parties work to support positive impetus,” he added.
Earlier, the ISPR said that a ceremony had taken place at the GHQ to commemorate the 98th founding anniversary of the Popular Liberation Army (PLA) in China.
Chinese ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong was the chief guest while General Wang Zhong, the Defense attaché, the Chinese Embassy and the Higher Service Officers of Pakistan.
Marshal Gen Syed Asim Munnir, chief of staff of the army, welcomed a warm welcome to the Chinese guests and congratulated the PLA for his 98th anniversary of Foundation. He praised the central role of ALP in the defense, security and construction of the China nation.
The COAS underlined the strength and the strategic meaning of the Pakistani-Chinese relations, stressing that the link between the two nations is unique, tested in time and exceptionally resilient in the midst of evolving regional and global challenges.
The Marshal in the field stressed that the Pakistani-Chinese strategic relationship illustrates mutual trust, unshakable support and shared commitment. He stressed that despite changing the strategic dynamics, the friendship between the two nations has remained firm and unshakable.
By concluding his address, Marshal Syed Asim Munnir reaffirmed that the Pakistani army and the APL are real brothers in arms. He stressed that their sustainable partnership will continue to play a central role in promoting regional stability and the safeguarding of shared strategic interests.
Addressing the rally, the Chinese ambassador expressed his sincere gratitude to the Coas for welcoming the event commemorating the 98th anniversary of the APL. He recognized the unwavering role of the Armed Forces of Pakistan in the fight against terrorism and reaffirmed the unwavering support and commitment of China to its strategic partnership with Pakistan.
