In view of the increasing attacks on Chinese nationals who are working on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects in Pakistan’s Balochistan region, Beijing on Sunday asked Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa to take necessary steps to prevent the same.
According to Frontier Post, the topic of the Chinese nationals’ security was raised in a meeting of senior officials of Pakistan and China. The meeting was held to discuss ‘the perspectives of both countries on the international and regional security situations.’
A senior-level tri-service military delegation of Pakistan visited China to hold discussions on various topics with senior officials the of Chinese military and other government departments between June 9 to 12.
The Pakistani delegation was led by Pakistan’s Army Chief General Bajwa in an ‘Apex meeting’ with the Chinese military in China. Attacks on Chinese nationals carried out by Baloch groups were also discussed in the meeting.
Notably, CPEC infrastructure projects, such as gas pipelines and electricity towers are being regularly targeted by the Baloch insurgents, who view China as an imperialist power.
“Both sides discussed their perspectives on the international and regional security situation, and expressed satisfaction on defence cooperation between the two countries,” Inter-Services Public Relation said in a statement post the meeting.
“Apex Meeting was held on 12 June wherein Pakistani side was headed by Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Qamar Javed Bajwa while the Chinese side was led by General Zhang Youxia Vice Chairman Central Military Commission of China,” the statement added.
The Chinese demands come in the backdrop of the Islamabad Police setting up a foreign security cell at the Central Police Office (CPO) recently after reports of continuous attacks on Chinese nationals in Pakistan.