China, Pakistan talk security as they target terrorism against belt and road projects

Top Chinese military official meets Pakistani counterpart in wake of attacks against Chinese interests in the South Asian country

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Zhang Youxia (left), vice-chairman of China’s Central Military Commission, meets his Pakistani counterpart Syed Asim Munir during a visit to Pakistan this week. Photo: Handout

Published: 8:26pm, 28 Nov 2024Updated: 11:40pm, 28 Nov 2024

China’s top military official held security talks with his Pakistani counterpart on Wednesday amid joint counterterrorism drills in the wake of several attacks targeting Chinese interests and citizens in the South Asian country.

Zhang Youxia, vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), met Pakistani Chief of Army Staff Syed Asim Munir during a visit to Pakistan, vowing to strengthen ties as the two countries held their first joint anti-terrorism drills in five years.

Their talks focused on “regional security dynamics, measures for regional stability, and enhancing bilateral defence cooperation”, according to Pakistan’s military.

The Warrior-8 joint counterterrorism exercise began in Pakistan last week and will continue until mid-December, focusing on clean-up and strike operations.

China sent more than 300 troops from the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Western Theatre Command to take part, with the Chinese defence ministry saying the exercises were aimed at “testing and enhancing joint counterterrorism capabilities” and “consolidating and deepening pragmatic exchanges and cooperation” between the two militaries.

The ministry added that the drills involved “multilevel, multi-speciality integrated training” and simulating real combat scenarios.