Chen Bingde meets with Pakistani chief of army staff

Chen Bingde, member of the Central Military Commission (CMC) and chief of general staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), met with the visiting delegation led by Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, Pakistani chief of army staff, in Beijing on the afternoon of January 6, 2012.

Chen Bingde said that the friendship between China and Pakistan has withstood the test of international vicissitudes and changes of domestic conditions of both countries. The friendship remains ever new as time goes by.

Chen added under the current complex regional security situation, it is the common needs of people of both countries to further strengthen and develop China-Pakistan comprehensive strategic partnership. The relationship between the two militaries is an important component of the China-Pakistan relations. The Chinese side is willing to constantly strengthen the friendly cooperation between the two militaries and pass on the China-Pakistan friendship.

Chen Bingde expressed gratitude to the Pakistani side for its strong support and active collaboration on issues related to China's core interests such as Taiwan, Tibet and Xinjiang issues.

Kayani said that the China-Pakistan friendship has a solid political foundation and enjoys popular support. The Pakistani side will continue to resolutely give support on issues related to China's core interests and work with the Chinese side in an effort to promote further development of the China-Pakistan relations and the relations between the two militaries.

Ma Xiaotian and Hou Shusen, deputy chiefs of general staff of the PLA, and Masood Khan, Pakistani Ambassador to China, also attended the meeting.