Pakistan and China want to expand their military ties, a Pakistani Defense Ministry statement said Tuesday after officials from both sides held talks. "Pakistan and China have expressed the desire to further enhance and strengthen defense collaboration," the statement said. Both sides "expressed satisfaction over the existing friendly and cooperative ties ... (in) defense and defense production." "Cooperation between Pakistan and China was critical for peace and stability in the region," it added. Maj. Gen. Jia Xinoning led the six-member Chinese delegation at the talks in the Defense Ministry headquarters in Rawalpindi, a city near the capital, Islamabad. Defense Minister Rao Sikandar Iqbal headed the Pakistani side, the statement said. It was not clear what position Xinoning had in the military.
