By Fizza Qaisar
Pakistan and China have pledged to further expand military cooperation and strengthen strategic coordination, reaffirming what both sides describe as a long-standing, high-trust defence partnership that continues to evolve across multiple domains.
The reaffirmation came during a monthly press briefing of the Chinese Ministry of National Defence, where spokesperson Colonel Jiang Bin outlined the direction of bilateral defence ties following recent high-level engagements, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s official visit to China and a series of ongoing institutional exchanges between the two countries.
Colonel Jiang Bin said recent diplomatic and military-level interactions had helped further consolidate mutual understanding between Pakistan and China. He noted that such engagements reflect the continuity of close strategic communication between the two sides at leadership and institutional levels.
He said the two countries consistently maintain a relationship built on “deep trust and mutual support,” describing them as close neighbors, reliable partners, and “brothers who stand together in difficult times.” He emphasized that this foundation has allowed the partnership to remain stable despite shifts in the global geopolitical environment.
According to the Chinese defence spokesperson, bilateral military cooperation has continued to expand in practical and structured areas, with both sides achieving “tangible progress” in recent years.
He said key areas of collaboration include strategic communication mechanisms, joint military exercises, defence training programs, personnel exchanges, and cooperation in defence equipment and technology development.
Colonel Jiang Bin stated that these engagements are not symbolic but operational in nature, aimed at improving coordination, strengthening preparedness, and enhancing institutional capacity on both sides.
He highlighted a series of joint military exercises conducted between the armed forces of Pakistan and China, including “Warriors,” “Ocean Guard,” and “Eagles.”
He said these exercises have become regular features of bilateral defence cooperation and serve as key platforms for improving interoperability between the two militaries. The drills, he added, cover land, naval, and air domains, allowing both sides to enhance coordination in complex operational environments.
He further noted that such exercises contribute to professional training, tactical exchange, and mutual learning, strengthening the overall effectiveness of defence collaboration.
Colonel Jiang Bin said that strategic communication remains a central pillar of Pakistan-China defence relations. He added that both sides continue to maintain close coordination on regional and international developments through established channels.
He also pointed to growing cooperation in defence technology and equipment, saying such collaboration reflects the depth of mutual trust and shared strategic interests between the two countries.
According to him, these areas of cooperation are expected to expand further as both sides continue to prioritize long-term strategic stability and defence readiness.
The spokesperson said China remains willing to work with Pakistan under the strategic guidance of leadership on both sides to further advance traditional friendship and deepen practical defence cooperation.
He said both countries will continue to strengthen strategic communication, expand institutional exchanges, and maintain support for each other on issues involving core national interests.
Colonel Jiang Bin added that military-to-military relations will continue to develop in a structured and sustained manner, contributing to what both sides describe as a closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era.
He said this cooperation also plays a constructive role in promoting regional stability and supporting broader international peace and security objectives.
Referring to the historical context, the spokesperson said Pakistan and China have maintained stable and resilient relations for 75 years, despite changes in the international political landscape.
He noted that the relationship has continued to deepen at both official and public levels, supported by consistent engagement, mutual respect, and expanding institutional cooperation.
He added that the durability of the partnership reflects its strategic importance for both countries, particularly in areas of defence, diplomacy, and regional connectivity.
Colonel Jiang Bin also highlighted the symbolic expressions often used to describe Pakistan-China relations. He said Pakistan is affectionately referred to in China as “Iron Pakistan,” while in Pakistan the relationship is often described as being “higher than mountains, deeper than oceans and sweeter than honey.”
The statement underscores continued strategic alignment between Islamabad and Beijing, with defence cooperation remaining one of the central pillars of the bilateral relationship. Both sides, according to the briefing, appear committed to further expanding military-to-military engagement, enhancing operational coordination, and strengthening long-term strategic cooperation in an evolving global security environment.
