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Pakistan Army Chief Visits ‘All-Weather’ Friend China to Discuss CPEC

| Mar 20, 2017 09:10 AM EDT

General Bajwa arrived in China to discuss security measures conducted for implementation of CPEC projects.

According to Pakistan military spokesman Major General Asif Ghafoor, the visit of the Pakistani general was to brief their Chinese partners on the geopolitical, economic and security situation in the country. He also described the China-Pakistan friendship as "unique".

Major Ghafoor posted on his Twitter account: "COAS arrived in China on a 3-day official visit. Meets Chinese senior political & military leadership. Pak-China friendship is unique with no parallel."

Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq agreed that the China-Pakistan friendship is strong and has withstood many challenges in the past.

He told China's Chairman Foreign Relation Committee China Wang Xiaochu, "Based on shared geopolitical, economic, historical and strategic interest, the Pak-China relations have always stood the test of times."

General Bajwa met with Chinese Executive Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, Gen Fan Changlong, Chief of Joint Services Department, Gen Fang Fenghui and Commander of the People's Liberation Army Gen Li Zhuocheng.

The military of the Pakistan government released a statement that said, "The Chinese leadership expressed complete understanding of the geopolitical and economic-cum-security environment of the region and its implications for both the countries."

The statement added: "They acknowledged the positive role being played by Pakistan toward peace and stability in the region with special mention of Pakistan's role in eliminating terrorist groups including Al Qaeda, Tehreek-e-Taliban and the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM) from Pakistan."

The ETIM has been responsible for organizing and strengthening the rebellion on Uyghur insurgents in the Xinjiang Province.

The CPEC was also discussed during the meeting and assured the Chinese government that they are working to ensure the safety of 19,000 Chinese workers who are engaged in various projects in the area.

"The Chinese leadership expressed their confidence in security arrangements for the $46 billion CPEC and satisfaction on progress made on the project," said the military.

Bajwa thanked the PLA and "reiterated that Pakistan Army shall continue to positively contribute toward regional stability and security."

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