*Strategic convergence at the forefront of Sino-Pak military ties*
ISLAMABAD / BEIJING, July 2025 — Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, FieldMarshal Asim Munir, and China’s Air Force Chief of Staff, LieutenantGeneral Wang Gang, affirmed a renewed commitment to strategic-levelcollaboration focused on technology sharing, joint training, and airpowerinteroperability to address shared security challenges.
In their high-profile meeting in Islamabad on July 9, 2025, Air ChiefMarshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu and Lt Gen Wang discussed avenues forenhancing operational synergy, training exchanges, and defensemodernization efforts. Wang praised the Pakistan Air Force’s performanceduring recent conflict with India, and underscored China’s interest inlearning from Pakistan’s battle-proven multi-domain operational practices.Sidhu in turn reaffirmed the enduring trust and shared strategic valuesunderpinning the two air forces’ partnership.
Key topics included joint air exercises and operational drills to refineinteroperability; potential transfer of critical aerospace and avionicstechnologies; and enhanced collaboration in UAVs, air defense systems, andmission planning tools.
Field Marshal Munir’s visit to Beijing further solidified strategicmilitary ties. He held talks with Chinese Vice President Han Zheng andForeign Minister Wang Yi on July 25, 2025, marking his first visit to Chinasince the recent India–Pakistan conflict.
Chinese officials—especially Wang Yi—emphasized the need for enhancedprotection of Chinese nationals and BRI projects in Pakistan, followingpast attacks on Chinese engineers. Beijing reaffirmed Pakistan as a toppriority partner amid mounting regional instability.
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In the May 2025 India–Pakistan standoff, Pakistan’s J-10C fighters—sourcedfrom China—played a pivotal role. Pakistan claims the aircraft downedmultiple Indian jets, including Rafales, showcasing the growing efficacy ofits Sino-sourced capabilities.
Defense reports confirm that 81 percent of Pakistan’s arms imports between2019 and 2024 came from China, including fighter jets, missiles, AWACS, andair defense systems. China has also co-developed platforms like the JF-17Thunder and supported Pakistan’s modernization drive across domains.
Looking ahead, Pakistan is negotiating the acquisition of up to 40 J-35fifth-generation stealth fighters, which would mark a major leap in aerialdefense capability and make them South Asia’s first fifth-gen platform werethe deal to materialize.
This series of engagements reflects a broader strategic recalibration, withPakistan doubling down on its “iron-clad” defense partnership with China.The focus is on combining technological advancement, battlefield testedexperience, and regional security cooperation in confronting emergingthreats. From airpower training to multi-domain warfare integration, theSino-Pak relationship continues to deepen at both operational and strategiclevels.