Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman calls on General Fan Changlong

Lahore: Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force visited China Central Military Commission (CMC), and called on General Fan Changlong, Vice-Chairman Central Military Commission.

Both the dignitaries remained together for some time and discussed various matters of professional interest and strategic cooperation. While commenting on Pak-India relations and recent remarks of Indian foreign minister, the Air Chief emphasized on achievement of peace through dialogue under the umbrella of conventional balance. He further stressed on enhancement of military cooperation between the two countries. Both the leaders expressed a firm resolve in accentuating the existing military cooperation between the two countries and with the pledge to explore new venues for undertaking technology intensive programmes as capacity building measures.

Earlier, the Air Chief also met Mr Liu Jian Chao Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs on South Asia Affairs.  The Air Chief lauded the sentiments emanating out of the recent visit of the President Xi Jing Ping and mentioned that this visit has left behind an indelible imprint. He said that this landmark visit has carved a new vista in successful realization of strategic cooperation on economic corridor.

CAS asserted that this strategic cooperation would yield far-reaching economic benefits and regional security was instrumental for this purpose.

He further highlighted the contributions of PAF to curb the menace of terrorism and said that PAF was playing a lead role in eliminating the terrorists hideouts including ETIM elements. He also assured the Assistant Minister of Pakistan’s efforts towards enhancing peace and stability in the region.  He however mentioned this could only be achieved through a close and well coordinated cooperation. The Minister assured the Air Chief towards all out support to Pakistan and vowed that concerted efforts would be made towards successful accomplishment of new avenues including Economic corridor. He nevertheless urged that foolproof security arrangements should be provided towards systematic accomplishment of this strategic venture.

Later in the evening, the CAS also visited National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation (CATIC) Headquarters. The Air Chief held detailed meetings with the top leadership of CATIC including its President Mr Yang Ying. CATIC is co-producing JF17 Thunder aircraft in collaboration with Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, Kamra. This historic programme has taken the friendship between the two friendly countries to further heights. The Air Chief expressed his satisfaction on the production cycle of JF-17 programme and reiterated his resolve to take the JF-17 production to the next level i.e producing the block III aircraft in record time.  He termed JF-17 aircraft as destiny of Pakistan Air Force. The Air Chief is on a five days official visit to China.