Pakistan, China to step up security cooperation

Pakistan's Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Chairman Khalid Shameem Wynne Saturday met with the media in Beijing after co-chairing the 10th China-Pakistan defense and security consultations with the People's Liberation Army on Friday. [Photo: Li Shen/China.org.cn]

Pakistan's Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Chairman Khalid Shameem Wynne said Saturday Pakistan's cooperation with China on security is strong and practical.

Wynne met with the media in Beijing after co-chairing the 10th China-Pakistan defense and security consultations with the People's Liberation Army on Friday.

"We have shared an enormous amount of intelligence, which is extremely helpful for both sides. We have a very clear-cut understanding of who does what." Wynne said.

He also said that talks covered protecting Chinese nationals against terrorist attacks in Pakistan.

On June 23, two Chinese nationals were killed in a pre-dawn attack in Gilgit-Baltistan, northern Pakistan.

"We feel very sorry for our Chinese friends who lost their lives… Pakistan is also a victim of terrorism. We are troubled by the tribal violence in this region. Nevertheless, I can say with a lot of confidence that enough efforts have been taken to make sure it will not happen again." Wynne said.

Wynne mentioned that terrorist organizations in Pakistan are a threat to both countries. "If there is any activity within Pakistan territory that is linked to the ETIM, we act with our full force against it… Our cooperation has helped to capture and limit terrorists. We are satisfied in this area."

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang proposed the "Economic Corridor" project connecting Kashgar in China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region to the southwestern Pakistani port of Gwada during his visit to Pakistan in May.

Wynne said that this project has strategic advantages to both China and Pakistan and is the center piece of Pakistan's current policy initiative at this moment.

In response to concerns about the project, Wynne said "it is not just the military that guards the corridor, it is the whole country. Any economic activity generated by a foreign country should be given protection, because it is for our own good."

According to Wynne, all the Pakistan security agencies and intelligence agencies are responsible for providing protection to the project.

When asked about the West's worries about China's taking over the Gwada Port, Wynne emphasized: "Gwadar Port is an exclusively economic port. The handover of Gwadar Port to a Chinese company does not concern the military."

At the meeting, the parties discussed upcoming September "Shaheen-2" joint air force drill in Xinjiang, China. They agreed to continue the young officer seminars launched last year.

Discussion also mentioned joint military equipment development projects, such as the JF-17 thunder aircraft. The Pakistani air force has already ordered a large number of the aircraft.