Pakistan army chief holds strategic talks during visit to China

Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, held a series of high-level meetings in Beijing with senior Chinese political and military leaders, reaffirming the deep-rooted strategic partnership between the two countries.

According to a statement issued by Pakistan’s military media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), on Friday, the engagements reflected both nations' shared commitment to bolstering regional security and enhancing defense cooperation amid a shifting geopolitical landscape.

During his meetings with Chinese Vice President Han Zheng and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Field Marshal Munir discussed regional and global developments, the future of connectivity through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), and the need for joint responses to emerging geopolitical challenges.

  Pakistan Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir receives guard of honor from Chinese military in Beijing.ISPR

On the defense front, the army chief met with General Zhang Youxia, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC); General Chen Hui, Political Commissar of the PLA Ground Forces; and Lieutenant General Cai Zhai Jun, Chief of Staff of the PLA Army.

The talks featured wide-ranging discussions on counterterrorism collaboration, joint training initiatives, modernization of defense capabilities, and strengthening institutional linkages. Both sides emphasized greater operational interoperability and strategic alignment to confront hybrid and transnational threats.

Chinese military leaders expressed strong confidence in the resilience of the bilateral defense partnership and acknowledged Pakistan’s vital role in promoting stability across the region.

Field Marshal Munir, in turn, lauded China’s unwavering support and reaffirmed Pakistan’s resolve to expand military-to-military engagement across all domains.

‘Ironclad friends'

In remarks reported by China Daily, Foreign Minister Wang Yi referred to China and Pakistan as “ironclad friends” and “all-weather strategic partners,” emphasizing that Pakistan remains a diplomatic priority for Beijing.

He said China is committed to working with Pakistan to implement the consensus reached by both nations' leaders, deepen strategic cooperation, and contribute to peace and prosperity in the region.

Field Marshal Munir echoed those sentiments, noting that strengthening ties with China enjoys broad support across Pakistani society.

He assured Chinese leaders that Pakistan's military will continue to take all necessary measures to ensure the security of Chinese citizens, enterprises, and infrastructure projects in Pakistan, and reaffirmed Islamabad’s commitment to enhancing counterterrorism cooperation with Beijing.

The latest round of high-level Pakistan-China military engagements comes in the wake of renewed tensions between India and Pakistan following a deadly attack in Indian-administered Pahalgam in May 2025, which left 26 tourists dead.

The incident triggered a brief but intense cross-border exchange, drawing international concern and calls for restraint.

In its aftermath, India accused China of covert support through intelligence sharing, allegations which Pakistan has formally denied -- specifically, Field Marshal Munir called them “irresponsible and factually incorrect”.

Since then, Islamabad and Beijing have moved to accelerate diplomatic and military coordination. With China’s influence deepening through the Belt and Road Initiative and Indo-U.S. defense ties continuing to strengthen, Pakistan’s strategic alignment with Beijing now serves both as a counterbalance to Indian regional ambitions and a central pillar of its national security calculus.