BEIJING – China’s State Councilor and Defense Minister Wei Fenghe met withChief of Naval Staff Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi who is currently visitingChina to participate in the multinational naval activities marking the 70thanniversary of the founding of the People’s Liberation Army Navy.

During the meeting, Admiral Abbasi said that Pakistan cherishes itstraditional friendship with China and thanks for China’s support andassistance, according to Chinese media here on Monday.

Pakistan, he said, is willing to further strengthen high-level exchangesand strategic communication with China and actively push forward bilateralmilitary-to-military relations.The Chinese Navy is currently holding a series of multinational navalactivities in Qingdao and nearby waters to celebrate its birthday. Thesewill include a joint sea parade, high-level symposiums, public tours ofships, military music performances and other cultural exchanges.

Naval delegations from more than 60 countries and ships from more than 10foreign navies are taking part in the events.

The Chinese Navy will display 32 warships and 39 aircraft in the parade,including China’s first aircraft carrier, the CNS Liaoning, and the newestnuclear submarines and destroyers, as well as fighter jets.

It may be mentioned here that the PLA Navy was founded on April 23, 1949,in the township of Baimamiao, Jiangsuprovince. In 1989, April 23 wasdesignated as the Navy’s foundation day.