Admiral Muhammad Zakaullah, Chief of the Naval Staff, arrived in Beijing on an official visit to China at the invitation of Admiral Wu Shengli Cdr PLA(Navy) and met him in Beijing Wednesday.

Admiral Muhammad Zakaullah, Chief of the Naval Staff, arrives in Beijing on an official visit to China at the invitation of Admiral Wu Shengli Cdr PLA(Navy) and meets him in Beijing Wednesday. [Photo/China.org.cn]

Admiral Muhammad Zakaullah met with Admiral Wu Shengli Cdr PLA(Navy) at PLA(Navy) HQs where PLA(Navy) troops presented the Guard of Honour to the visiting Pakistan Naval Chief.

During the meeting Admiral Muhammad Zakaullah said that Pakistan Navy and PLA Navy are strengthening their existing maritime cooperation keeping in view the changing regional international scenarios. The Pakistan Naval Chief said that the navies of Pakistan and China have been cooperating for decades. Admiral Muhammad Zakaullah highlighted that the co-production of the F-22P frigates and FAC(M) project was a milestone in the defence cooperation between the two countries and hoped that this cooperation would grow more in days to come. Admiral Muhammad Zakaullah thanked the Chinese government for its consistent support to the Armed Forces of Pakistan. Military cooperation between the two countries is extensive and it covers equipment, personnel exchanges and joint exercises, Chief of the Naval Staff added.Admiral Muhammad Zakaullah said Pakistan strongly supported PLA Navy’s enhanced role in the international arena.

The Pakistan Navy Chief said that Pakistan was undertaking anti-terrorist and anti-piracy operations under the mandate of the United Nations. He said that Pakistan Navy and PLA Navy should find more ways to strengthen their existing cooperation.

The Chinese Chief of the Naval Staff praised the anti – piracy operations being carried by the PLA Navy in the Gulf of Aden. He said that China and PLA Navy had earned international appreciation and respect for their anti-piracy operations.

Wu Shengli said that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries 61 years ago, the friendship between China and Pakistan had weathered trials and hardships and become even firmer with the passage of time and the friendly relations had won popular support. The two countries support and closely cooperate with each other on many major international issues and their all-weather strategic cooperative partnership had been developing constantly. The two navies have witnessed steady advance of reciprocal visits among high-ranking officers, pragmatic and in-depth reciprocal visits among warships and highly effective exchanges among academies, and they have vigorously conducted cooperation in carrying out escort missions in the Gulf of Aden and the waters off the Somali coast. Wu Shengli expressed the view that the PLA Navy always cherished its friendly relations with the Pakistani Navy, treats it sincerely and regards it as a good brother and good partner on the basis of equality, and was willing to strengthen friendly exchanges and pragmatic cooperation with the Pakistani Navy and support each other on the development road for common progress.

This was the first official visit of the Chief of the Naval Staff since assuming the office. During his stay in China, Admiral Muhammad Zakaullah will also hold the meetings with Vice Chairman Central Military Commission, General Fan Changlong and visit Wuhan and Shanghai where he will hold the meeting with PLA (Navy) East Sea Fleet Commander and visit the PLA(Navy) ships.

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