High-level meeting in Beijing: China and Pakistan pledge mutual support and defense cooperation

BEIJING, June 20 (Xinhua) — Zhang Youxia, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, met with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee of the Pakistan Army Sahir Shamshad Mirza in Beijing on Tuesday.

Zhang said the Chinese side is willing to work with the Pakistani side in implementing the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, enhancing pragmatic cooperation, and jointly addressing global challenges.

He expressed the hope that the two militaries will continue to support each other strategically, jointly work for deeper and more substantive defense and security cooperation, and jointly safeguard global and regional peace and stability.

Sahir Shamshad Mirza said the Pakistani side will firmly support China’s principles and stances on issues concerning Taiwan, Tibet, Xinjiang and Hong Kong no matter how global and regional situations change.

The Pakistani military is willing to deepen its cooperation with the Chinese military to safeguard common interests and promote common development, he said.