Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari visited China's secret military complex. He was shown fighter jets like J-10, J-20, and JF-17 Thunder, as well as advanced drones. Both countries agreed to enhance defense cooperation.
China-PAK Relations: Pakistan and China have had close relations for decades. China calls itself Pakistan's "all-weather friend," and defense and economic cooperation between the two countries continue to deepen. In this context, Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari's visit to China is considered very significant.
Zardari arrived for a 10-day visit to China, and during this trip, he was given a tour of a secret military complex. This visit is also special because it is the first time a foreign head of state has been granted permission to view this complex.
What Happened at the Secret Military Complex
Zardari was taken to China's Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC). Here, he was briefed on China's most modern and advanced weaponry, particularly including fighter jets, drones, automated weapons, and command systems.
According to reports from Pakistani media, President Zardari was given detailed information about China's aviation technology and joint defense production capabilities. It was also indicated that Pakistan and China will jointly develop more advanced weapons in the future.
Weapons Shown to Zardari
Zardari was presented with a display of several advanced Chinese military technologies and weapons. These primarily included:
- J-10 Fighter Jet – China's state-of-the-art fighter jet, which Pakistan has also shown interest in acquiring.
- JF-17 Thunder – A joint project between Pakistan and China, symbolizing the defense cooperation between the two countries.
- J-20 Stealth Fighter Jet – China's 5th Generation Fighter, which has amazed many militaries around the world.
- Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), or advanced drones, used in surveillance and multi-mission operations.
- Fully Automated Units and Integrated Command and Control Systems, enabling real-time decision-making during modern warfare.
On this occasion, Zardari emphasized increasing joint defense production with China. He stated that Pakistan would further strengthen its military capabilities by learning from China's experience.
China's Reaction
However, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not give much importance to Zardari's visit. In its official statement, China only stated its desire to promote the Global Security Initiative (GSI). The GSI is China's security policy, considered a response to America's "global domination policy."
China made no direct comments on Zardari's statements or defense cooperation. This is China's long-standing policy of not speaking too openly about military cooperation with Pakistan in public forums.
Recent Visit of Asim Munir to China
Prior to Zardari, Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal General Asim Munir, also visited China. His visit was considered even more significant after India's Operation Sindoora.
According to reports, Pakistan's army is currently under significant pressure and aims to bolster its defense capabilities with China's assistance. India launched Operation Sindoora on May 7th, following the deaths of 26 people in a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. This operation targeted terrorist bases located in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK).
