ISLAMABAD - Commander of People’s Liberation Air Force of China Ding Laihang has said that Pakistan and China enjoy friendly and brotherly relations and cooperated in various fields.

“Pakistan and China are enjoying extremely good and friendly relations,” Commander of People’s Liberation Air Force of China Dang Laihang said, while addressing the passing out parade of GD Pilots at the PAF Asghar Khan Academy, Risalpur as chief guest on Friday. According to the PAF spokesperson, Commander of People’s Liberation Air Force of China said that the cooperation between the security forces of the two countries had strengthened and joint exercises and training had greatly contributed to further improving skills.

Chinese air chief congratulated the passing out cadets.  He said that Pakistan and China had established an all weather friendship.

Chinese air chief said, “Tomorrow you have taken [the] sacred duty of safeguarding the national sovereignty.”

He said army and air forces of both the countries enjoyed strategic relations and “we want to promote cooperation between the two armed forces and air forces.”

The commander of the People’s Liberation Air Force also gave awards to distinguished cadets.

Earlier, on his arrival at the academy, the commander of the Chinese Air Force was warmly-received by the Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshall Mujahid Anwar Khan.

Overall, 109 cadets, including two from Saudi Arabia, participated in the passing out parade.

The chief guest awarded branch insignias to the graduating cadets and also gave away trophies to the distinction holders.

The chief guest awarded Quaid-i-Azam Banner to No 4 Squadron, the new Champion Squadron of the academy. The ceremony was followed by a thrilling performance by “Eaglets”- the Para-Motor Glider team of the academy. “Bravehearts and Sherdils”, the PAF Academy Aerobatics Teams also displayed a stunning aerial display on the occasion.

The well-synchronised drill presented by Hamza Flight was an icing on the cake, which was thoroughly enjoyed by the guests.

The ceremony was witnessed by high-ranking military and civil officials, diplomats, foreign dignitaries and a large number of guests of the graduating cadets.

Meanwhile, President Mamnoon Hussain has said that Pakistan and China have everlasting friendly relations, which are also the basis of our foreign policy.

The president said this, while talking to Lieutenant General Ding Laihang, commander People’s Liberation Air Force of China who called on him here at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, on Friday.

Earlier, the president also conferred Nishan-i-Imtiaz upon him during a special investiture ceremony at the Aiwan-e-Sadr.  Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan, Chinese Ambassador Yao Jiang and senior officials were also present on the occasion.

The president stated that the defence relations between Pakistan and China were the guarantee of peace and stability in the region.

He appreciated the efforts of the Chinese authorities for successfully holding the joint exercises of the air forces of Pakistan and China and hoped that such exercises would also be held in the future.  The president also expressed satisfaction over the progress of different projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

He underlined that frequent exchange of high-level delegations between the two countries should continue to further enhance the bilateral relations.

On the occasion, Commander People’s Liberation Army Air Force Lieutenant General Ding Laihang thanked the president and the Government of Pakistan and resolved that he would continue to play his role towards promoting the relations between both the countries.