Chinese Defence Minister General Wei Fenghe paid a 2-day (December 1-3) visit to Pakistan where he met the Pakistan Prime Minister, President and the Chief of Army Staff. According to China's state-owned CGTN, during their meeting Pakistan President Arif Alvi promised Pakistan’s support to China across issues including the South China Sea, Taiwan, and Tibet, and also to push ahead with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. According to CGTN, Wei Fenghe replied that China is “keen to jointly cope with risks and challenges with Pakistan, firmly safeguard the sovereignty and security interests of both countries and maintain regional peace and stability.” A press release by Pakistan's ISPR said that during their meeting the Chinese Defence Minister General Wei Fenghe and Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff (COAS) discussed “matters of mutual interest, regional security and enhanced bilateral defence collaboration.” The “Visiting dignitary acknowledged and appreciated Pakistan Army’s sincere efforts for regional peace and provision of secure environment for CPEC projects. COAS thanked the dignitary for China’s unwavering support to Pakistan on all key issues at regional and international forums. COAS said that Pakistan Army greatly values our time-tested and brotherly relations with China.” According to press reports, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and General Wei Fenghe “discussed bilateral relations and matters pertaining to Kashmir dispute, Covid-19 pandemic, CPEC and others.” The Express Tribune said “The prime minister deeply appreciated China’s principled support on the Kashmir issue in the wake of India’s unilateral and illegal actions of August 5, 2019. He underlined the serious threat posed by the RSS-BJP dispensation through belligerent actions, discriminatory measures against Indian minorities, and harshest steps to curb all the freedoms of innocent Kashmiris in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).” General Wei Fenghe was awarded the Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Military). Its citation read: “General Wei Fenghe is a sincere and close friend of Pakistan. He has played a prominent role in promoting and further strengthening defence relations between the Armed Forces of Pakistan and China.”
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