BEIJING – Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Bajwa, on specialinvitation, called on the President of China Xi Jinping in China onWednesday to discuss the region’s security and the challenges it is facedwith, the military’s media wing said.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has said that those who oppose the Belt andRoad Initiative (BRI) or China-Pakistan Economic Corridor shall neversucceed as this is an initiative of peace and development not only forChina but for the region and beyond.
“Pakistan is our time-tested iron friend and Pakistan Army has a pivotalrole towards this lasting relationship,” the Chinese leader said in ameeting with Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, who called onhim on Wednesday on special invitation.
The two sides discussed regional security environment, challenges, and theway forward, according to a statement issued by the military’s media wing,the ISPR, from Rawalpindi.
President Xi appreciated professionalism of Pakistan’s armed forces andacknowledged its role towards regional peace and stability. “China shallcontinue to support Pakistan as a strategic partner,” he said. “Those whooppose Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) or CPEC shall never succeed as thisis an initiative of peace and development not only for China but for theregion and beyond.”
The army chief thanked President Xi for his invitation. He also thanked theChinese leader for acknowledging professionalism and contributions ofPakistan Army towards regional peace and stability.
Gen Qamar said that Pakistan understands the importance of peace and hasgiven a lot of sacrifices for achieving it. “The BRI with CPEC as itsflagship is destined to succeed despite all odds and Pakistan Army shallensure security of CPEC at all costs,” he said.
The army chief said that “while we work for peace we need to stay strong tothwart designs of all inimical forces challenging our resolve and wegreatly value Chinese support in this regard”.Gen Qamar is returning to Pakistan on Wednesday night after the completionof his visit to China during which he met senior military and civilianleaders.