China has acknowledged Pakistan’s role in eliminating terrorist groups, including the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, al Qaeda and East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM) from the country.
The recognition came during army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa’s meetings with the Chinese civil and military leadership, i.e. Executive Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli, Vice Chairman Central Military Commission General Fan Changlong, Chief of Joint Services Department General Fang Funghui, and Commander People’s Liberation Army General Li Zuocheng. He arrived in China Thursday on a three-day official visit.
#COAS arrived in #China on 3 days official visit. Meets Chinese snr pol & mil ldrship.
— Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor (@OfficialDGISPR) March 16, 2017
Pak-China friendship is unique with no parallel. pic.twitter.com/JHgajTLgAc
“The Chinese leadership expressed complete understanding of the geo-political and economic and security environment of the region and its implications for both the countries,” the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.
“They acknowledged positive role being played by Pakistan towards peace and stability in the region with special mention of Pakistan’s role in eliminating terrorist groups including al Qaeda, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and ETIM from Pakistan.”
COAS Visit to China.... pic.twitter.com/diFZYwh5Em
— Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor (@OfficialDGISPR) March 16, 2017
The East Turkestan Islamic Movement is a separatist organisation founded by Uyghur extremists in western China.
However, the military’s media wing said, Chinese leadership also expressed their concern on the Afghan security situation, as well as the growing potential threat of Daesh, and ETIM in Afghanistan.
The Chinese leadership voiced confidence in security arrangements for the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and satisfaction on progress of the project.
The COAS express gratitude to Chinese leadership for their defence support and cooperation, and reiterated that Pakistan Army shall continue to positively contribute towards regional stability and security. “[The] COAS thanked Chinese leadership for sending PLA’s contingent for participation in Pakistan Day parade,” the communiqué read.
“Both sides agreed to continue and further increase their military to military cooperation.”
