Pak Army & PLA relationship to contribute towards safeguarding ‘collective interests’: COAS

Pak Army & PLA relationship to contribute towards safeguarding ‘collective interests’: COAS.  Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Monday said that the relationship between China’s million-plus Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) and the Pakistan Army will continue to contribute to safeguarding the ‘collective interests’ of the two nations.

The army chief, speaking at the 95th anniversary of the founding of the PLA which was commemorated at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, said the Pak-China relationship was ‘unique and robust’ and has proven its resilience in the face of challenges.

The ambassador of China to Pakistan Nong Rong, officials from the Chinese Embassy and officers from the tri-services of Pakistan attended the event, said the statement released by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

Read more: COAS appeals US to help expedite Pakistan-IMF deal

Speaking at the occasion, the ambassador thanked the COAS for hosting the reception on the eve of PLA’s anniversary.

He said that China and Pakistan were “iron brothers, all-weather friends and strategic partners”.

Ambassador Rong furthered that the recent meeting of the China-Pakistan Joint Committee of Cooperation held in China set up an important platform for military collaboration which would serve effectively for military-to-military relations between the two countries.

The COAS felicitated the PLA and lauded its role in China’s defence, security and nation-building.

Highlighting various facets of the deep-rooted ties between the two states, militaries and the people, the COAS also said the Pakistan-China relationship is unique and robust and had proven its resilience in the face of challenges.