BEIJING: (APP) China is willing to work with Pakistan to continuously deepen the exchanges and cooperation between militaries of the two countries and push forward the continued development of the Sino-Pakistani ‘All Weather Strategic Cooperation Partnership.’
Spokesperson for Chinese Ministry of National Defense (MND), Senior Colonel Wu Qian said at a regular press briefing while responding to a question about participation of Guards of Honor of the three service of the China’s People’s Liberation Army in Pakistan Day parade in Pakistan.
He said, the friendship between the two countries and the two militaries can be described with three key words: all weather brotherly friendship, substantive mutual support and assistance, and deep strategic mutual trust.
When asked about the role played by the Chinese military in the region, he said, China is committed to strengthen military exchanges and cooperation, enhancing mutual trust between militaries, and actively participating in regional and international security affairs.
“We will always be a staunch force for maintaining world peace and regional stability,” he added.
The Spokesperson said, the Chinese military actively fulfills its international obligation by conducting regular naval escort missions in the Gulf of Aden and waters off Somalia, conducting joint anti-piracy training with navies of Pakistan and other countries, and coordinating with the India and other independent escort countries over the schedule of the escort ships in an effort to jointly safeguard the security of international waterways.
And in regional counter-terrorism, China has conducted multiple joint exercises covering counter-terrorism and joint training with both Pakistan and India, playing an active role in enhancing regional countries’ capabilities to respond new threats and new challenges and maintain regional security and stability, he added.
Regarding a question about the postponement of proposed China-Nepal joint military exercise, he said, the report of the postponement of the China-Nepal joint training is inaccurate.
He said, the two sides have planned to hold joint army counter-terrorism training in the first half of this year and both sides are still having consultation on related matters, adding, “We will release information in due time.”
Responding to a question on the downsizing of the military, he said, on September 3, 2015, President Xi made a solemn announcement to the world that China would downsize its armed forces by 300,000, demonstrating the firm resolve of China to follow the path of peaceful development.
The reform of the size, structure and composition of the armed forces made specific arrangement on downsizing military personnel, and relevant work is pressing ahead according to plan.
This year, the set goal will be reached in accordance with the original plan.
Responding to a question, he said, the J-20 fighter jet is a stealth fighter jet designed and developed independently by China to meet the needs in future war. At present, relevant work of experiment and test flights is pressing ahead according to plan.
The J-20 fighter jet will improve the comprehensive combat capability of the PLA Air Force (PLAAF) and help the PLAAF to better shoulder the solemn responsibility of safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity.