ISLAMABAD — China is ready to deepen pragmatic military cooperation with Pakistan and make new contributions to the comprehensive development of bilateral ties, State Councilor and Defense Minister Chang Wanquan said here on Feb 28.

During a meeting with Pakistani President Mamnoon Hussain, Chang said Beijing has always viewed its ties with Pakistan a priority in China’s relations with its neighbors.

His visit, said Chang, is aimed to implement the important consensus of the two countries’ leaders on intensifying defense and military relations between the two countries.

During Hussain’s recent visit to China, the two countries’ leaders have reached consensus on accelerating the building of the economic corridor and deepening all-round bilateral cooperation, Chang added.

For his part, Hussain said, Pakistan will staunchly support China on issues concerning its core interests and stand ready to work with China to bring bilateral ties, including cooperation in defense and security, to a new level.

His latest visit to China carried great significance, said the Pakistani president, as he and the Chinese leaders have agreed to speed up their planned economic corridor project, making it a new milestone in bilateral relations in this century to benefit the two peoples and other countries in the region.

Chang arrived here early on Feb 27 for an official visit.