Regular exchanges between the armed forces of Pakistan and China would ‘deepen the existing strategic ties’ and give ‘further push’ to the all-weather and time-tested friendship between the two countries.
Ambassador Masood Khan said while speaking at a graduation ceremony of the 2nd Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC)-Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Officer Development Programme (APOD) held in Beijing.
The Pakistan envoy expressed deepest appreciation to AVIC, China National Aero-Technology Import and Export Corporation (CATIC) and the AVIC University for organizing an ‘advanced and sophisticated programme’ with ‘rich contents’ for the participants from the Pakistan Air Force (PAF).
The next step should be closer ties between AVIC University and the PAF, said Khan.
The APOD is a one-month course conducted by the AVIC University for officers from the Engineering Branch of the PAF. The course is designed to impart knowledge to the participants on a wide range of general and technical subjects.
Masood Khan said, at the heart of the course lied deep trust between the governments, people and institutions of China and Pakistan.
He said, “PAF is playing an important role in the defence of Pakistan and we are proud if its achievements” adding that the interface between PAF and AVIC University would open new avenues of cooperation.
Praising the role of AVIC in China’s aviation industry, Khan commented that the AVIC University is leading Chinese aviation industry in academic competence and practical performance and PAF was proud to be a part of it.
Khan further added that the PAF and AVIC/CATIC have played a key role in cementing the defence ties between the two countries. They have collaborated in co-producing an advanced technological platform in the form of JF-17 fighter aircraft, he added.
“In Pakistan, JF-17 aircraft has become a symbol of Pakistan-China friendship,” said Masood Khan. ‘This is our countries’ pride,” he said.
Tan Ruisong, President of AVIC also spoke on the occasion and expressed the hope that the course would promote better understanding of the technological advancements made by China in the field of aviation. He underlined that the interaction between PAF and AVIC would boost the defence cooperation between the armed forces of the two countries.
Air Commodore Nadeem Athar, the leader of the PAF delegation, highlighted various aspects of the course and thanked AVIC University for preparing an elaborate and professional course for the participants.
Masood Khan said that the AVIC-APOD programme now adds an important dimension of training, capacity building and exchanges of perspectives on history, culture and modern exchanges between Pakistan and China. The course has helped the PAF officers understand what modern China is all about, Masood Khan said.
The 2nd APOD lasted from June 29 to July 30, 2012. Twenty officers from the PAF participated in the course. The first course was held last year.
President CATIC Ma Zhiping and other leading Chinese officials were also present on the occasion.
