BEIJING/ISLAMABAD (MNN); China and Pakistan have reiterated their commitment to further strengthening bilateral military cooperation and strategic coordination, with Beijing describing ties between the two countries as an enduring “iron-clad friendship.”
Speaking during a monthly press briefing on Thursday, Chinese Defence Ministry spokesman Colonel Jiang Bin highlighted the growing defence partnership following recent high-level meetings held during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s official visit to China.
Responding to questions about engagements between political and military leadership from both countries, Jiang Bin said China and Pakistan remain close neighbours, trusted friends, supportive partners and brothers who stand by each other in challenging times.
He said defence cooperation between the two countries continues to expand across several areas, including strategic communication, joint military exercises, training programmes, personnel exchanges, as well as defence technology and equipment collaboration.
Jiang Bin noted that joint drills involving the armies, navies and air forces of both countries — including the “Warriors”, “Ocean Guards” and “Eagles” exercises — have become key symbols of bilateral military cooperation.
He said China is ready to work closely with Pakistan under the guidance of both countries’ leadership to strengthen traditional friendship, improve strategic coordination, deepen practical cooperation and continue supporting each other on issues of core national interest.
The Chinese official added that both countries would continue advancing military-to-military relations while contributing to a closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future, alongside efforts to promote peace, development and security in the region and beyond.
Jiang Bin also said that over the past 75 years of diplomatic relations, China-Pakistan ties have remained strong despite global changes and have continued to deepen between the people of both nations.
He added that Pakistanis often describe the friendship as “higher than the mountains, deeper than the oceans and sweeter than honey,” while many Chinese people fondly refer to Pakistan as “Iron Pakistan.”
