China to 'authorise' Pakistan to build missiles, tanks, FC-1 Xiaolong combat aircraft

 

NEW DELHI: Beijing was furious with India last year for launching Agni V, but now it plans to build ballistic, cruise, anti-aircraft and anti-ship missiles with "all-weather friend" Pakistan, China's state-run media reported.

The two countries will also jointly mass produce FC-1 Xiaolong, a lightweight and multi-role combat aircraft, reported Global Times, the Chinese Communist Party's news outlet. In addition, the two agreed to strengthen anti-terrorism cooperation and strike terrorist forces including China's insurgent East Turkestan Islamic Movement.

These were the outcomes of yesterday's meeting in Beijing between Pakistan's army chief+ Qamar Bajwa and a top Chinese military official, Fang Fenghui. In exchange for Beijing's largesse, Islamabad agreed to ensure the safety of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)+ .

"Pakistan and China enjoy a special friendly relationship with each other and have a common destiny," Bajwa reportedly said at the meeting, according to a statement on the website of China's defence ministry.

Pakistan has deployed more than 15,000 troops to protect CPEC+ and the country's navy has raised a security contingent to protect the Gwadar Port