Host China invites Pak Navy cadets to join Int’l Cadets’ Week

BEIJING, Apr 25 (APP): Lauding ongoing successful cooperation between the navies of the countries, China has invited Pakistani naval cadets to participate in the International Cadets’ Week to be held in June at the Dalian Naval Academy of People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy. According to PLA Daily, the invitation was extended at a meeting held between visiting Pakistan’s Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) Admiral Muhammad Asif Sandila and Wu Shengli, member of the Central Military Commission (CMC) and commander of the Navy of the PLA held in Beijing on April 22. Wu Shengli informed the CNS that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries 61 years ago, the friendship between China and Pakistan has grown from strength to strength, and the friendly relations have won popular support among their people. The two countries support and closely cooperate with each other on major international issues and their all-weather strategic cooperative partnership has been developing constantly, Wu noted. The relations between the two militaries are close as it was evident by the deep cooperation in various fields including personnel training and equipment. He also mentioned the mechanism for defense and security consultation between the two ministries that has become a good channel for the two militaries to strengthen communication and deepen pragmatic cooperation. The two navies have witnessed steady advance of reciprocal visits among high-ranking officers, pragmatic and in-depth reciprocal visits of warships and highly effective exchanges between academies, Wu noted. He pointed out that both the navies have vigorously conducted cooperation in carrying out escort missions in the Gulf of Aden and the waters off the Somali coast. Wu Shengli said  that the PLA Navy always cherishes its friendly relations with Pakistan Navy, treats it sincerely and regards it as a good brother and good partner on the basis of equality. PLA Navy is willing to strengthen friendly exchanges and pragmatic cooperation with Pakistan Navy so that they support each other on the development road for common progress. Admiral Asif Sandila said that Pakistan attaches great importance to its relations with the China. He expressed the confidence that the two navies will continue to strengthen exchanges and cooperation at various levels and in different fields, so as to further constantly promote the relations between the two sides.