China, Pakistan to enhance military ties

Clear Views of Chinese WZ-10 Attack Helicopter

(中国武直-10武装直升机高清图)

BEIJING: China and Pakistan have announced a packed military exchanges' schedule in 2011. This would include two joint military exercises, Chinese media quoted visiting Pakistan Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee chairman Gen Khalid Shameem Wynne as saying on Wednesday.

The two countries would participate in a multinational naval drill in March besides two bilateral army and air force exercises.

Chinese People's Liberation Army chief Gen Chen Bingde told the Pakistani general that China is willing to work with his country to develop the mechanism of defence and security talks, deepen strategic cooperation and contribute to the peace, stability and common development in the region and the world, the official Xinhua news agency reported.

Gen Wynne said ties between the two countries are based on the principle that the China has a role in maintaining regional peace and stability. ``That's why we can move forward on joint efforts on the development of sophisticated weapon systems, including aircraft and tanks, and in the area of anti-terrorism,'' he said.

Earlier, Gen Chen said China is devoted to pushing forward relations between the two militaries at the 8th round of China-Pakistan Defence and Security Talks in Beijing on Wednesday. The two sides pledged to enhance strategic communication and cooperation between their militaries. The mechanism of defence and security talks was launched in 2002.

Gen Wynnes visit is significant as Beijing is worried about the impact of revolutions spreading through Middle East and its possible influence on its separatists on the China-Pakistan border. Reports in official Chinese media said the two countries did not discuss this issue. But the Chinese are likely to discussed it as the Pakistani military, often accused of being pro-US, is equally worried about the developments.

Pakistan, China to Hold Joint Military Exercises in 2011

Pakistan and China will hold two joint military exercises in 2011, a Pakistani senior military leader said Tuesday.

http://english.cri.cn/6909/2011/02/22/2021s622179.htm

The two exercises, one army drill and one air force one, will be held to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Pakistan and China, said General Khalid Shameem Wynne, chairman of Pakistan's Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee.

Wynne, who is paying a five-day visit to China, told reporters that the two countries will also participate in a multinational navy drill in March.

Wynne hailed the strategic partnership between Pakistan and China, saying it is "the best example" of bilateral ties and a "stabilizing force" in the region.

"The China-Pakistan partnership is a source of comfort and stability for the entire region," Wynne said.

The visit is Wynne's first official visit to China since he was promoted to the rank of general and assumed his present position in October 2010.

In July 2010, Wynne led a joint anti-terrorism drill between Pakistan and China in Qingtongxia in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.