Pakistan Hosts Ceremony Marking Chinese PLA 99th Anniversary

Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces, hosted a ceremony at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi on August 1, 2026, to commemorate the 99th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China. During the event, Munir described the friendship between the two nations as "unique, time-tested and has remained steadfast in the face of evolving regional and global challenges," characterizing the two militaries as true partners committed to strategic interests and regional peace.

Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong attended as the guest of honor. Zaidong reaffirmed China's unwavering support for Pakistan and the All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership, specifically acknowledging the sacrifices made by the Pakistan Armed Forces in counter-terrorism efforts.

The commemoration highlighted expanded collaboration across defense, diplomacy, and economic sectors. Key priorities include the acceleration of CPEC 2.0 and joint counterterrorism initiatives. Further bilateral agreements are expanding into technology transfer and the agriculture and livestock sectors, reflecting shared diplomatic goals regarding regional stability and conflicts in the Middle East.