The opening ceremony for a China-Pakistan army joint training was held in Korla, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, on Wednesday morning, with the launch of a series of exercises including drone operations, mobile target shooting, long-range sniping, as well as joint command and live-force drills over the coming days.
The participating Chinese and Pakistani army units assembled at a training base in Korla early in the day, paving the way for carrying out the nine-day joint training.
The training, officially known as the China-Pakistan "Karakoram-2026" Army Joint Training, marks the first joint training of the armies of China and Pakistan, focusing on joint anti-terrorism clearance operations in high-altitude regions.
The logo of the training emblem reflects the focus, featuring the Karakoram Mountains to symbolize high-altitude environments and firm friendship, and with extended olive branches representing joint action, and a peace dove indicating a shared commitment to regional stability.
All weapons and machinery for the joint training are provided by the Chinese side according to equipment support arrangement.
Over the coming days, the participating Chinese troops will demonstrate equipment operations, while their Pakistani counterparts will share their practical experience in counter-terrorism operations.
Designed specifically for thin air and complex terrain, the training curriculum will advance from specialized skills and phased rehearsals to comprehensive joint exercises, aiming to build mutual trust and enhance combined combat capabilities.
"It is a great honor to lead our troops in this joint army training. As this is our first time participating in a joint exercise with the Pakistani army, we will cherish this opportunity to train together, learn from each other, coordinate with each other closely, and continuously hone our joint counter-terrorism and mission execution capabilities," said Army Major Wang Hanbo, an officer from a unit under the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Xinjiang Military Command.
China, Pakistan launch inaugural joint army training with opening ceremony in northwest China's Xinjiang
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Baku on Wednesday.
Aliyev asked Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, to convey his warm greetings and best wishes to Chinese President Xi Jinping and thanked Xi for sending Wang as his special representative to attend the Seventh Summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) in Azerbaijan.
Aliyev said Azerbaijan and China enjoy a high level of political mutual trust and mutually beneficial economic cooperation, and their comprehensive strategic partnership is flourishing.
The common understandings he reached with President Xi during his visit to China last year have been effectively implemented, bringing bilateral relations to a new stage, Aliyev said.
Aliyev expressed appreciation for China's longstanding strong support for Azerbaijan in pursuing its economic and social development and safeguarding national interests.
He said Azerbaijan regards China as a leading force in the rise of the Global South, and Chinese modernization has set an example for developing countries, including Azerbaijan.
Noting that Azerbaijan was among the first countries to support and participate in the Belt and Road Initiative, Aliyev said a series of cooperation projects between the two countries has yielded fruitful results.
Azerbaijan is willing to strengthen strategic alignment with China and further expand cooperation in areas such as energy and connectivity, Aliyev said, adding that Azerbaijan welcomes more Chinese companies to invest and do business in the country.
He also called for making full use of the mutual visa exemption agreement to further promote people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.
Aliyev said Azerbaijan firmly adheres to the one-China principle, fully supports the global initiatives put forward by President Xi, and appreciates China's consistent commitment to upholding international fairness and justice and multilateralism.
Azerbaijan is willing to strengthen coordination and cooperation with China in international and regional affairs, he added.
Wang conveyed President Xi's cordial greetings to President Aliyev, saying that under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, China and Azerbaijan have maintained mutual understanding, trust and support, with bilateral relations enjoying strong momentum of growth and showing broad prospects for development.
China congratulates Azerbaijan on the remarkable progress it has made in national development under President Aliyev's leadership, supports Azerbaijan in pursuing a development path suited to its national conditions, and stands ready to strengthen cooperation with Azerbaijan and other parties on the Middle Corridor and remains a reliable long-term strategic partner in the process of Azerbaijan's development, Wang said.
China appreciates Azerbaijan's longstanding strong support on issues concerning China's core interests and also supports Azerbaijan in safeguarding its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, Wang said.
China's development represents a rise in the strength of the Global South and a boost to the collective strength of developing countries, Wang said, adding that China stands ready to continue close coordination and cooperation with Azerbaijan to safeguard the common interests of Global South countries.
China supports Azerbaijan in playing an important role on multilateral platforms such as CICA and in international affairs, and in making greater contributions to regional and global peace and stability, Wang said.
During the visit, Wang also held talks with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov.
Azerbaijani president meets Chinese FM
