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Pakistan Army Chief Visits China, Reaffirms Strategic Partnership Amid Regional Shifts

By The South Asia Times

ISLAMABAD/BEIJING — Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) of Pakistan, has completed a high-level official visit to China, aimed at deepening defence and political cooperation between the two long-time allies.

During his stay in Beijing, the army chief held a series of important meetings with senior Chinese political and military leadership, reaffirming what both sides described as an “ironclad” strategic partnership, according to a statement, issued by ISPR on Friday.

Field Marshal Munir met with Chinese Vice President Han Zheng and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, where both sides discussed the evolving regional and global geopolitical landscape. Key focus areas included enhanced cooperation under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), countering shared security threats, and promoting long-term regional stability. The Chinese leadership lauded the Pakistan Armed Forces as a pillar of regional peace and a symbol of national resilience.

On the military front, the COAS was welcomed with a guard of honour at the PLA Army Headquarters and held talks with General Zhang Youxia, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, as well as other senior officers including General Chen Hui and Lieutenant General Cai Zhai Jun. The meetings highlighted enhanced defence collaboration, particularly in counterterrorism, joint training, defence modernization, and improved operational interoperability.

Both sides expressed confidence in the depth of their military ties and stressed the importance of strategic coordination to address hybrid and transnational threats. Field Marshal Munir thanked China for its consistent support and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to expanding military-to-military cooperation in all domains.

The visit underscored the shared resolve of China and Pakistan to strengthen their bilateral relationship through sustained high-level engagement, particularly at a time of increasing regional tension and shifting global alliances.