Chinese, Pakistani soldiers start skills training at first joint army training

The first joint training exercise between the Chinese and Pakistani armies entered the skills-training stage on Thursday in Korla, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

Codenamed Karakoram 2026, the training endeavor kicked off on Wednesday to focus on joint counter-terrorism operations in high-altitude areas.

The drill includes skills training in UAV operation, on-the-move target search and firing, and long-range sniping, and covers joint command and live-force exercises.

At the climbing training grounds, Chinese officers and soldiers demonstrated basic drills including rope climbing, downhill, and simulated rock climbing to their Pakistani counterparts.

"The assessment standard for rope climbing is that in actual operation, or during combat, it is considered excellent to finish within 15 seconds, and good within 20 seconds," said Liu Hongwei of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Xinjiang Military Command.

The joint training exercise aims to help the two sides deepen cooperation and strengthen interoperability in counter-terrorism efforts.

Chinese, Pakistani soldiers start skills training at first joint army training

He Lifeng, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and director of the Office of the Central Commission for Financial and Economic Affairs, met with Ray Dalio, founder of Bridgewater Associates, in Beijing on Wednesday. He said that with 2026 marking the first year of China's 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030), the Chinese economy has maintained good momentum characterized by continued innovation, optimization and sound growth.

Under the strategic consensus of the two heads of state, China-U.S. economic and trade consultations have produced a series of mutually beneficial, balanced and positive outcomes, which are conducive to the stability and development of both countries and the global economy, He said.

Dalio expressed optimism about China's economic development prospects and opportunities, and said he is willing to continue playing an active role in advancing U.S.-China economic and trade cooperation

Senior Chinese official meets Bridgewater Associates founder Ray Dalio