ISLAMABAD: Friendship between China and Pakistan continues to strengthen as Beijing promised to deliver another 50 fighter jets to its southern neighbor over the next three years, a top Chinese official said, according to the Express Tribute.
A policeman stands guard next to giant portraits of (L-R) Pakistan’s President Mamnoon Hussain, China’s President Xi Jinping, and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, displayed along a road ahead of Xi’s visit to Islamabad
China already delivered 60 fighter jets to Pakistan since the two countries signed a contract in 2007. After the delivery of another batch of 50 combat aircrafts from China, Pakistan will have a total of 110 JF-17 Thunder jets.
Pakistan needs more fighter jets to fight effectively against Taliban militants, said India Today.
The JF-17 Thunder is a lightweight, single-engine combat aircraft developed jointly by the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) and China’s Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC).
China and Pakistan have long maintained close political and military relations, based mostly on mutual antipathy towards India. However, recently China has improved relations and strengthened its cooperation with India. Xi’s upcoming visit is aimed at reassuring the Pakistani government that their relations remain robust.
