By Asghar Ali Mubarak
Army Chief General Asim Munir has said that Pak-China relations are based on mutual trust and the unshakable belief of mutual support. The 97th anniversary of the establishment of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) was held at GHQ Rawalpindi, hosted by Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir and the Chinese ambassador to Pakistan. China’s Defense Attaché Major General Wang Yang, Chinese Embassy officials, and senior officials of the three armed forces attended the event. In his speech, the Army Chief congratulated the Chinese guests on the anniversary of the PLA and said that the People’s Liberation Army has played an important role in the defense, security, and development of China. He emphasized that the relationship between the Pakistan Army and the People’s Liberation Army is extremely strong, with military cooperation between the armed forces of the two countries being a clear example of iron brotherhood.
The Chinese Ambassador thanked Army Chief General Asim Munir for hosting the founding anniversary of the People’s Liberation Army. He acknowledged the leading role the Pakistan Army has always played in counter-terrorism and the significant sacrifices made for the establishment of peace and stability in the region. The Chinese ambassador added that his country stands by Pakistan in the fight against terrorism, firmly believing that no power in the world can destroy the iron friendship between Pakistan and China and the armed forces of both countries. The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is the armed forces of the People’s Republic of China and the Communist Party of China (CPC). The annual Military Day is observed on August 1 to commemorate the Nanking Uprising of August 1, 1927. The PLA consists of five professional branches: Ground Force, Navy, Air Force, Rocket Force, and Strategic Support Force.
The PLA is the largest military in the world with approximately 2,285,000 personnel. In September 2015, Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China and Commander-in-Chief of the PLA, announced a 300,000 reduction in military personnel. The emblem of the PLA is a red star consisting of the figure eight written in Chinese script, referring to the Nanking Uprising of August 1, 1927. The PLA is subordinate to the Central Military Commission of the Communist Party of China (CPC). Under the principle of civilian control of the military, the commander-in-chief of the Central Military Commission is usually the general secretary of the Communist Party of China. The Ministry of National Defense, which is subordinate to the State Council, has no authority over the PLA and is much less powerful than the Central Military Commission.
The primary role of the Ministry of Defense is that of a liaison office with foreign forces rather than a commanding authority, while the embedding of political officers known as commissars within the military ensures party authority over the armed forces. The political and military leadership together have made a concerted effort to make the PLA a professional military force whose responsibilities are limited to national defense, building the national economy, and providing emergency relief assistance. Bringing forward specialized officers who can understand arms operations and modern weapons is the concept of PLA’s role. Military units are assigned to five theaters and more than 20 military districts across the country. Military service is compulsory by law; however, compulsory military service has not been enforced in China due to the large number of voluntary conscriptions from the Chinese population.
During times of national emergency, the armed police and People’s Liberation Army militias act as a reserve and support element for the PLA. It may be recalled that the Chinese armed forces participated in a parade on the occasion of Pakistan’s National Day on March 23, 2024. The Guard of Honor of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) was sent to Pakistan to participate in the Pakistan Day Parade at the invitation of the Pakistani Army. This was not the first time that Chinese soldiers participated in the Pakistan Day Parade; they also took part in the event in 2017.
In June this year, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited China for five days and thanked the Chinese government. He said that under the visionary leadership of President Xi Jinping, China is reaching new heights. The friendship between Pakistan and China is unparalleled, with both countries proud to be iron brothers. In his message, Shehbaz Sharif further said that his visit would strengthen Pakistan-China relations, trade relations, and strategic partnership, marking an important milestone in the second phase of CPEC. Under the second phase of CPEC, Chinese businessmen and investors met with Pakistani businessmen and investors. The Prime Minister said that China’s development in information technology, agriculture, minerals, and other sectors is worth emulating, and the people of both countries will benefit from the Pakistan-China economic partnership. The positive developments made during the recent visit to China will have long-lasting effects. Pakistan became independent in 1947 under the leadership of Quaid-e-Azam, while China became independent in 1949 under the great leadership of Mao Zedong.
With the independence of China in 1949, relations between Pakistan and China started to improve. Pakistan recognized the independence of China. This was the starting point of the friendship between Pakistan and China or it can also be said that it was the beginning of the friendship between Pakistan and China. In 1962, the border conflict between India and China started and the armies of both countries faced each other. came forward and border skirmishes started between India and China. At that time, China was cut off from the international community, but Pakistan fully supported China on this occasion, due to which the prestige of Pakistan increased in the eyes of China and the relations between Pakistan and China began to improve. Pakistan and China began to bond in a strong bond of friendship. On this occasion, Pakistan and China resolved their border issues in a good way and this was the beginning of the journey of friendship between Pakistan and China. In 1965, the Indo-Pak war broke out. In this war, China supported Pakistan in every way and gave full support to Pakistan and fulfilled the right of its true friendship.
(The writer is a senior journalist covering various beats can be reached at news@metro-morning.com)
