Pakistan Army Chief meets Xi Jinping shortly after Narendra Modi's departure

BEIJING: Pakistan's Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir held a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday. The meeting took place during Asim Munir's visit to China along with Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. This is Asim Munir's first meeting with Xi Jinping after taking over as Field Marshal.

Sharif travelled to Beijing after participating in the Shanghai Cooperation (SCO) Summit held in Tianjin. During the summit, Xi Jinping had held discussions with several world leaders, including India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Asim Munir's meeting with Xi Jinping took place a day after the conclusion of the summit. Earlier, Asim Munir had held a discussion with US President Donald Trump at the White House, leaving China in shock. Against this backdrop, his engagement with Xi carries added significance.

Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar said that both sides held detailed discussions on bilateral and regional cooperation. President Xi Jinping stressed that strong China–Pakistan relations are essential for regional peace and development, and suggested that in the new era, the two countries should further strengthen their friendship and expand cooperation. Talks also covered the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor and the Free Trade Agreement.

Later in the day, Sharif and Munir attended the Chinese military’s annual grand parade, which showcased advanced weaponry, including air, land, electronic, and missile systems. More than 80 per cent of Pakistan’s military arsenal is of Chinese origin.