Here's what China said on Pakistan army chief term extension

China on Wednesday welcomed extension of Pakistan Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa's term for ar three years, saying he is an "old friend" of Chinese government who has me "robust contributions to bilateral relations.

General Bajwa, 58, who was appointed as Chief of Army Staff by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif in vember 2016, was to retire in vember, but Prime Minister Imran Khan extended his term for ar three years in view of "regional security environment". 

decision was taken amid fresh tension in India-Pakistan relations and ongoing Afghan peace talks between US and Taliban militants, facilitated by Islamab.

Asked about extension of Gen Bajwa's term, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told a media briefing here that Pakistan Army chief has me robust contribution to China and Pakistan relations.

We ticed decision by Pakistan government. Gen Bajwa is an extraordinary leer of Pakistani army. He is also an old friend of Chinese government and army," he said.

He has also me robust contributions to China Pakistan relations. We believe under his leership, Pakistan Army will continue to make contributions to upholding Pakistan's sovereignty, security interests and regional peace and stability," Geng said in response to a question from Chinese official media.

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Gen Bajwa has promised Beijing to safeguard China's interests in Pakistan under USD 60 billion China-Pakistan Ecomic Corridor (CPEC) which will connect China's largest province Xinjiang with Pakistan's Gwar port in Balochistan.

Pakistan Army has alrey raised a battalion and has anunced plans to form ar battalion to protect Chinese citizens and installations under CPEC. 

Geng's comments backing Khan's decision to extend Gen Bajwa's term came as a surprise as it is rare for Beijing to publicly comment on appointments of officials by foreign governments, though China and Pakistan are all-wear friends.

Bajwa's extension was sharply criticised by Pakistan's opposition parties which said that it would send a wrong mess that Army is dependent on "one or two individuals".

Observers say that Geng's comments hailing Gen Bajwa's extension was also aimed at reinforcing China's special relationship with Pakistan military establishment.

Gen Bajwa like his predecessors is a frequent visitor to China. But he was rare Pakistan Army chief who during his visit to Beijing in September last year met Chinese President Xi Jinping. 

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