Top Chinese defense firms are showcasing a wide range of high-end weapons and equipment covering all fields of land, sea, air, space, and electronics at the 12th International Defense Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS 2024) in Karachi, Pakistan's southern port city, demonstrating China's advanced capabilities in national defense technology.
The IDEAS 2024, running from Tuesday to Friday, has attracted over 560 defense equipment exhibitors from 41 countries and regions. Among them, 55 percent are international participants, while 45 percent are local exhibitors.
Chinese exhibitors, under the brand "China Defense," have put on display advanced weaponry, including the JF-17 fighter jet, Z-9EC and WE-10ME helicopters, multiple high-performance drones, VT4 main battle tank, SH-15 self-propelled howitzer, Type 054 frigate, as well as the Red Arrow 10E and Red Arrow 12E anti-tank missile systems.
These exhibits demonstrate China's advanced capabilities in information technology, intelligence, and systematization across all fields of land, sea, air, space, and electronics, attracting significant attention from numerous professional participants and media outlets.
"China perhaps has the biggest stall over here and that shows their commitment to Pakistan's defense industry. And the relationship between our two countries is historical and unparalleled. It will keep on increasing, it will achieve new heights," said Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif.
"As new technologies develop, our weapons and equipment are increasingly showing characteristics of systematization and unmanned operation. Through cooperation with friends worldwide, we have made significant achievements, contributing to peace in various regions and our world," said Zhu Longtao, a representative of the Chinese exhibitors.
The IDEAS, initiated in 2000, has evolved into a profoundly influential defense expo in Asia. This year's edition has exceeded all past records in exhibition space, registrations, exhibitors, and the count of domestic and international representatives.
The Pakistani side has stated that the IDEAS provides a regional platform for international arms manufacturers and suppliers to explore new defense cooperation channels through joint ventures, outsourcing, and partnerships.
Chinese defense firms showcase high-end products at industry expo in Pakistan
Chinese defense firms showcase high-end products at industry expo in Pakistan
At least four people were killed, and ten others injured after Israel attacked a hotel in the Lebanese capital Beirut early on Sunday, the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health said.
Israeli forces launched a drone attack at dawn, targeting a room at the Ramada hotel in the heart of the city. Following the strike, Israel said that the targets were key commanders of the Lebanon Corps of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds Force.
The drone attack was the first Israeli attack on central Beirut since hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah resumed, according to media reports.
The Ramada Hotel is located in Beirut's Raouche area, a popular tourist district near the landmark Pigeon Rocks along the Mediterranean coast.
All the windows in the targeted hotel room were shattered, and several adjacent rooms and the exterior facade of the hotel building were also damaged by the airstrike, according to a China Media Group reporter at the scene.
Witnesses said the area had been considered safe, and many displaced people fleeing southern Lebanon and the southern suburbs of Beirut had taken refuge here, with some staying in hotels and others sleeping in their cars along nearby roads.
"At night, it was quiet until 1:35; there were no sounds of drones or anything at all. Suddenly, we heard something like a shell—very loud. We thought it was a warplane bombing in the area. We ran and saw smoke coming from the hotel, and glass was scattered in the streets. There was black smoke and dust. We ran to the Ramada hotel on the fourth floor, where flames were coming out. People began to exit, ambulances and information branch personnel arrived, and crowds formed," said Shawki Sharifi, an eyewitness.
Another eyewitness said the area was blocked after the attack, and the injured were taken to hospitals for treatment. Authorities said that there were fatalities at the scene.
On Sunday evening, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) issued a statement, saying that the Israeli Navy carried out a precision strike on Beirut, targeting five senior commanders of Iran's IRGC Quds Force who were meeting at a hotel in the city.
The IDF said that the five commanders, "hiding in a civilian hotel," were all killed in the operation. The commanders had served in the Lebanese and Palestinian branches of IRGC and were involved in providing funding and intelligence to Hezbollah and Hamas, the IDF said in the statement.
The Lebanese authorities have not provided more details about the victims or the incident.
At least 4 killed, 10 injured in Israeli strike on hotel in Beirut
