China delivers newly built submarine to Pakistan

A Chinese defense spokesman said on Saturday that a conventionally powered submarine newly built by China for Pakistan is part of normal equipment cooperation between the two countries.

Defense Ministry spokesman Jiang Bin made the remarks at an online news briefing. According to media reports, the first Qilin-class conventionally powered submarine built by China for Pakistan was delivered in Sanya, Hainan province. Senior Pakistani military and political officials — including the country's president and the chief of naval staff — attended the delivery ceremony.

Jiang said the project is "normal equipment cooperation between China and Pakistan" and a vivid example of the China-Pakistan all-weather strategic cooperative partnership.

In recent years, under the strategic guidance of the two countries' leaders, China-Pakistan relations have continued to reach new heights and achieve new outcomes, he said.

The two militaries have supported each other over the years and achieved fruitful cooperation in areas such as strategic communication, joint exercises and training, personnel training, and equipment and technology, Jiang said.

Those cooperations have played an important role in safeguarding the security of both countries and regional peace and stability, the spokesman noted.

Going forward, the two militaries will continue to consolidate strategic mutual trust, deepen practical cooperation in various fields, and contribute to building a more tight-knit China-Pakistan community with a shared future, while promoting world peace and development, he added.