China’s Defense Minister, Gen. Li Shangfu, recently met with Pakistan’s naval chief, Amjad Khan Niazi, to discuss the two countries’ military cooperation. Li emphasized the importance of expanding exchanges between the two countries and working together to safeguard their security interests. Military cooperation between China and Pakistan has largely focused on their respective navies, with China increasing its presence in the Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea by developing Pakistan’s Gwadar port. Pakistan has acquired four naval frigates and will soon receive eight Chinese submarines as part of its modernization efforts. The recent high-level visits between the two countries come amid Pakistan’s deepening economic and political crisis and reports of leaked documents suggesting a deliberation to open up relations with the US to balance ties with China.
