When Pakistani Prime Minister Sharif visited China, one accompanying figure stood out unusually: Pakistan's Field Marshal Munir. Thanks to his outstanding command performance during the May 7 aerial engagement last year, Munir has become the first army chief in Pakistan's history to be awarded the rank of field marshal while still serving in office. Currently, he is undoubtedly the most powerful military figure in Pakistan. Why is Munir's visit particularly noteworthy? Because it suggests that China and Pakistan may soon embark on significant, even major, military cooperation.

In fact, during the Pakistani Prime Minister's visit to China, both countries signed 15 government-level agreements and memoranda, covering areas such as deepening counter-terrorism efforts, border security, joint training, and equipment technology collaboration. Notably, the mention of "equipment technology cooperation" has drawn considerable attention. Although neither side has disclosed exactly what this cooperation entails, rumors have already circulated widely in the international media.

Previously, foreign media reported that Pakistan was considering a $12 billion purchase of Chinese military equipment, with the proposed list including 40 J-35A/J-35AE stealth fighters, six KJ-500 airborne early warning aircraft, and the Hongqi-19 anti-ballistic missile system, among others. Pakistani air force officials have confirmed that preliminary coordination mechanisms regarding the J-35 have already been established. Coincidentally, just in May, China publicly unveiled the export version of the J-35AE.

Of course, no official defense procurement contracts or transaction details have been announced yet—whether talks are currently underway remains unclear. However, Munir’s presence in China is undoubtedly a highly significant signal. If China and Pakistan indeed proceed with large-scale military cooperation, Pakistan could quickly rise to become a "regional powerhouse in South Asia" and potentially emerge as a top-tier military power within the Islamic world. The subsequent developments will certainly be worth watching closely.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1866166344512713/

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