Joint China-Pakistan military exercise begins

The 10-day exercises aim at 'strengthening the bonds of friendship' between the Pakistani and Chinese armies.

China's Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) on Monday began "Friendship 2006," its first joint military exercise with Pakistan Army on Pakistani soil.

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The 10-day exercises are aimed at "strengthening the bonds of friendship" between the Pakistani and Chinese armies and benefiting from each other's experience in the planning and conduct of anti-terror activities," the Pakistani defence ministry announced.

The two armies conducted their first-ever joint exercise in 2004. "Friendship 2006" comes within weeks of Chinese President Hu Jintao's visit during which Beijing made firm commitments on specific items of defence equipment, while assuring a continuing cooperation on a number of projects including a fighter aircraft and an air borne early warning radar system.

China is Pakistan's principal arms supplier.