Both countries signed agreements to implement the decisions undertaken at a meeting held at the Ministry of Defence here between Minister for Defence, Chaudhry Ahmad Mukhtar and the Chinese Defence Minister, General Liang Guangile, representing their respective nations.
Earlier, the seventeen-member defence delegation, led by General Liang Guangile, Minister for National Defence of China, called on Minister for Defence, Chaudhry Ahmad Mukhtar, and exchanged views on bilateral defence co-operation, geo-strategic situation of the region and the anti-terror efforts made by Pakistan. Both sides agreed to further increase military co-operation and strategic communication at all levels so as to overcome the challenges being confronted by the two countries.
In order to promote and increase interaction and closer collaboration between the Armed Forces of the two friendly countries, the meeting agreed to hold joint exercises of the militaries of the two countries. The meeting discussed the security environment of the region and emphasised the need for making joint efforts to weed out terrorism.
It was also agreed to share intelligence gathering, which was essential for defeating the terrorist elements. General Liang Guangile assured his Pakistani counterpart that China would continue to provide military and economic assistance to Pakistan so as to make it a stronger and prosperous country. He also assured that his country would continue to support Pakistan's stance on different issues on every international forum.
Appreciating the unflinching support provided by the Peoples Republic of China to Pakistan, the Defence Minister said that Pakistan was highly indebted to China for supporting Pakistan in difficult times and specially its role in developing and strengthening the defence sector of Pakistan. The meeting was attended by Secretary Defence, Lieutenant General Syed Athar Ali (Retd), Rear Admiral Shah Sohail Masood, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Defence, and other senior military and defence officials of Pakistan.