BEIJING, December 15, 2008: General Tariq Majid, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) along with a high powered delegation arrived in Beijing for the 6th Round of Pakistan-China Defence and Security Talks, a forum that is spearheading the strategic and defence relations between the two countries.
According to ISPR press release, both sides were opposed to all forms of terrorism, extremism and militancy and resolved to cooperate with each other to fight these three forces. China conveyed its complete support to Pakistan's efforts to fight terrorism and appreciated the sacrifices made by the Government and people of Pakistan in this regard. After the talks, an agreement for military cooperation was also signed between the two sides.
Beside the dialogue, CJCSC is scheduled to meet with high level civil and military leadership of Peoples Republic of China. He will also visit HuDong Shipyard in Shanghai to see the progress on construction of F 22 P Frigates for Pakistan Navy and JF 17 Thunder Aircraft project in Cheng Fei Company in Chengdu.
The Defence and Security Talks were instituted during 2002 and have since been held regularly, alternatively, in Pakistan and China and have matured into an extremely useful bilateral forum.
Under the framework of this forum, the relations between the two Armed Forces have now reached a strategic dimension.
The dialogue now covers military to military cooperation, collaboration between the defence industries and global / strategic issues.
On arrival at Ba' yi Building (Peoples Liberation Army Headquarters), CJCSC was received by General Chen Bingde, Chief of General Staff, Peoples Liberation Army followed by a guard of honour.
The 6th Round of Defence and Security Talks was held in a very cordial and friendly atmosphere between the high level defence officials from both sides headed by General Bingde and General Tariq.
The dialogue covered a wide range of regional / international issues and a review of the ongoing military to military cooperation including measures to bolster the existing ties.
There was complete unanimity of views on all issues.
The two sides agreed to take forward their strategic partnership to new heights and agreed to augment the existing military to military cooperation.
While reviewing the growth of China-Pakistan relations over the past 57 years, two leaders expressed satisfaction that the friendship between China and Pakistan has withstood the test of time, notwithstanding changes in the international, regional and domestic environment and has matured into a comprehensive partnership.
Later in the evening, a banquet was hosted by General Bindge, CGS PLA in honour of the CJCSC, which was attended by senior Chinese officials.
