China and Pakistan celebrate the 96th anniversary of the PLA with reaffirmed commitment to their all-weather strategic partnership. Fruitful cooperation, joint exercises, and equipment collaboration enhance regional peace and stability, while China-Pakistan Economic Corridor plays a vital role in bilateral development.

Building a Shared Future: Safeguarding Global Peace and Stability
To accomplish national independence and liberation, on August 1, 1927, the Communist Party of China (CPC) launched the Nanchang Uprising, marking the birth of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA). Over the past 96 years, under the strong leadership of the CPC, the PLA has made an indelible historic contribution to the liberation of the Chinese nation, its socialist reform and development drives, and to safeguarding China's sovereignty, security, and development interests, maintaining world peace and promoting human progress. The PLA has become a world-renowned military of victory, iron discipline, and peace. The 96 years have seen remarkable development achievements of the PLA, growing from a poorly-equipped to a well-equipped military. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC in 2012, under the guidance of Xi Jinping’s ‘Thinking on Strengthening the Military’, the PLA, remaining true to its original aspiration and founding mission, has been forging ahead with its great goal of fully transforming itself into a world-class military.
Looking back, we know well that peace has never been easy; looking into the future, we remember that peace must continue to be safeguarded. Keenly aware of the utmost importance and urgency to safeguard national security, China's military constantly strengthens its consciousness of potential dangers, crises, and missions, prepares for the worst, and remains as vigilant and ready as a strained bow for potential combat. 

Since 2008, China has dispatched 44 escort fleets to the Gulf of Aden and the waters off Somalia and ensured the safe passage of more than 7,000 Chinese and foreign ships, half of which are foreign merchant ships.

The PLA is not only a Great Wall of Steel to safeguard China's sovereignty, security, and development interests, but a staunch force to ensure world peace and stability. The development of China's military strength guarantees world peace and represents the growth of the force of human civilization’s progress. China's military has always been vital in safeguarding regional and international peace.
China's armed forces engage in UN peacekeeping operations (UNPKOs) with courage and determination. China is the second-largest contributor to peacekeeping assessment and UN membership fee and the largest troop-contributing country among the five permanent members of the UN Security Council. Since China's armed forces first participated in the UNPKOs in 1990, China has sent over 50,000 peacekeepers to participate in the UNPKOs in over twenty countries and regions.
China’s armed forces actively participate in safeguarding international sea lines of communication (SLOCs). Since 2008, China has dispatched 44 escort fleets to the Gulf of Aden and the waters off Somalia and ensured the safe passage of more than 7,000 Chinese and foreign ships, half of which are foreign merchant ships.
China's armed forces vigorously promote international and regional counterterrorism cooperation. For years, China has conducted a series of Peace Mission-military exercises within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) framework and hosted the Great Wall International Forum on Counterterrorism.
China's armed forces actively participate in international efforts for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations. Military professionals are dispatched to conduct disaster relief operations in the affected countries, provide relief materials and medical aid, and strengthen international exchanges. Notably, since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, China's military has faithfully implemented the concept of building a community of common health for mankind proposed by President Xi Jinping and protecting the health and life of people all over the world has deepened cooperation with foreign militaries including Pakistan Army in fighting COVID-19, making important contributions to building a global community of health for all.

Message by Ms. Pang Chunxue, Chargé d’Affaires of the Chinese Embassy

“This year marks the 96^th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army. We expect to celebrate this festive occasion with our Pakistani friends with joy and warmth. 
China and Pakistan are all-weather strategic cooperative partners. The iron-clad friendship between the two countries has stood the test of time and change in the international landscape. The military-to-military relations, in particular, serve as an important pillar and the strong guardian of the China-Pakistan friendship. The two militaries have witnessed fruitful cooperation in recent years in fields such as high-level visits, joint training, and exercises, anti-pandemic joint efforts, equipment and technology collaboration, constantly enriching the connotation of bilateral strategic cooperation, and making important contributions to safeguarding regional peace and stability.
As we know, security is the foundation of development, and development is the guarantee of security. President Xi Jinping proposed the Global Security Initiative (GSI) to address the international security challenges, which advocates a new path to security featuring dialogue over confrontation, partnership over alliance, and win-win over zero-sum. The GSI and the Global Development Initiative (GDI) proposed by President Xi are in line with the trend of the times featuring peace, development, and win-win cooperation and providing new impetus for countries to boost livelihood and development.
When discussing the development, we are happy to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) launch. By the end of 2022, the CPEC has brought a total of USD 25.4 billion in direct investment, USD 17.55 billion in revenue, USD 2.12 billion in taxes, and created 236,000 jobs for Pakistan in total, helping Pakistan add 8,000 MW of electricity, 510km of highways and 886km of the national core transmission network. It has significantly contributed to Pakistan's economic and social development, becoming a distinctive symbol of China-Pakistan cooperation and a pilot project of the BRI. 
Looking ahead, China is ready to work with Pakistan to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, jointly build the CPEC with high quality, enhance cooperation between the two militaries, and promote the implementation of the GDI and GSI in Pakistan, to build an even closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era, promoting regional peace and prosperity.
China-Pak Dosti Zindabad!”

Nurturing Strong Bonds for a Promising Future
The strong military of China is a staunch force for world peace, stability, and the building of a community with a shared future for humanity. Continued efforts of China are made to deepen bilateral security cooperation with friendly countries like Pakistan. The long-lasting and time-tested relationship between the PLA and Pakistan Armed Forces is a testimony to and a living example of the Pakistan-China all-weather strategic partnership, which is highly valued and cherished by the two countries and their people. Three prominent features of the relationship between the PLA and the Pakistan Armed Forces exist.
Mutually Assured Strategic Trust. China and Pakistan are all-weather strategic cooperative partners, and their rock-solid friendship has always maintained strong vitality and resilience. The relationship between the militaries is an important pillar of bilateral relations. This unique relationship has stood the test of international vicissitudes, forming the rock-solid bedrock of China-Pakistan relations.
The Pakistani military is the pillar of Pakistan and a staunch defender and promoter of the China-Pakistan friendship. The PLA highly appreciates Pakistan's support on issues concerning China's core interests and is ready to strengthen high-level exchanges and strategic communication further, enrich and expand practical cooperation, and jointly deal with various global challenges.
Under the current circumstances, China and Pakistan have to strengthen strategic communication and coordination, oppose bloc confrontation, and jointly safeguard the common interests of both sides and regional peace and stability. This year the PLA and Pakistan Armed Forces are further strengthening high-level strategic communication. General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, General Syed Asim Munir, Chief of the Army Staff, and Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi, Chief of the Naval Staff, have paid successful visits to China.
Mutually Committed Overall Cooperation
Joint Exercises. The Chinese PLA and Pakistan Armed Forces have enhanced synergy and interoperability in recent years through various joint training and exercising mechanisms. The PLA Army and Pakistan Army have established Joint Anti-Terrorist Exercise (JATE) mechanism under the SCO’s regional anti-terrorism structure. The two navies have routinely conducted the "Sea Guardians" series of joint maritime exercises. The guided-missile destroyer Nanning of the PLA Navy participated in the multinational naval exercise AMAN-23 at the invitation of the Pakistan Navy in February 2023. The two air forces have held the "Shaheen" series joint exercise many times. The Chinese PLA and Pakistan Armed Forces are working hand-in-hand to deepen pragmatic cooperation under this mechanism.
Equipment Cooperation. In recent years, Pakistan Army has formally inducted VT4 main battle tank (MBT) into service, another symbol of the Pakistan-China strategic cooperation and defense collaboration. As the most advanced MBT in Pakistan Army's inventory, its induction will boost the strike capabilities of all Pakistan Army formations. Pakistan Navy has newly inducted two Chinese-manufactured Type 054A/P frigates, namely the PNS Tippu Sultan and the PNS Shahjahan, which shows the fulfillment of the enlistment of four frigates. The Type 054A/Ps are being integrated into Pakistan Navy operations and will be a mainstay of the Pakistan Navy Fleet in the coming years, ensuring the seaward defense and protection of Pakistan's vital sea lines of communication. Last year, Pakistan Air Force officially inducted a new batch of Chinese-built J-10CE fighter jets to its fleet. The induction of J-10CE aircraft has further strengthened PAF as a formidable and potent force capable of defending Pakistan's aerial frontiers. 

By the end of 2022, the CPEC has brought a total of USD 25.4 billion in direct investment, USD 17.55 billion in revenue, USD 2.12 billion in taxes, and created 236,000 jobs for Pakistan in total, helping Pakistan add 8,000 MW of electricity, 510km of highways and 886km of the national core transmission network.

Humanitarian Relief. A friend in need is a friend indeed. Chinese people will always remember that Pakistan Air Force rushed to urgent assistance after an unprecedented magnitude-8.0 earthquake hit Wenchuan in 2008 and airlifted all its tents in store to the stricken area. Last year, Pakistan suffered severe flooding, causing heavy casualties and property losses. The Chinese PLA Air Force immediately dispatched large Y-20 transport aircraft to send humanitarian relief materials, including 3000 tents, to Pakistan. Recently, a batch of 216 Pakistani nationals stranded in Sudan had been evacuated to Saudi Arabia by the Chinese navy vessel Weishanhu and afterward was taken back home by a Pakistan Air Force C-130 aircraft. All above vividly demonstrates that both armed forces held the doctrine of serving the people wholeheartedly and were willing to work side by side to fulfill this mission.

China is the second-largest contributor to peacekeeping assessment and UN membership fee and the largest troop-contributing country among the five permanent members of the UN Security Council. 

Mutually Envisioned Shared Future
China and Pakistan are now at a new historical stage with a shared future in the new era. Stronger strategic defense and security cooperation between China and Pakistan is an important factor of peace and stability in the region. Both sides are fully committed to injecting new impetus into their all-weather strategic cooperative partnership, tiding over difficulties together and unswervingly supporting each other’s core interests on the way forward.
Next, under the guidance of the two heads of state, the Chinese and Pakistani militaries stand ready to expand practical cooperation in various fields to a new level and inject a new impetus into the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries. The two militaries agreed to enhance strategic mutual trust further, deepen pragmatic cooperation, continue to improve their capability to jointly cope with various risks and challenges, and join hands to safeguard the common interests of the two countries as well as world and regional peace and stability.
True brotherhood is measured by the depth of connection that stands firm against the test of time.