From Zeeshan Mirza
KARACHI: China’s Ambassador to Pakistan H.E. Nong Rong along with General Nadeem Raza, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee visited Army Air Defence Ranges near Karachi and witnessed the firing of different Air Defence weapon systems and Surface to Air Missiles (SAMs) including LY-80 Missiles and FM-90 Missiles.
Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Chief of the Air Staff and also witnessed the exercise.
The firing marked the culmination of the Army Air Defence exercise ‘Al-Bayza-II’.
Chairman JCSC was given a detailed briefing on the aim and objectives of the exercise including drills/procedures being practised. CJCSC appreciated the display of high standards of training by the troops and emphasized the importance of Air Defence in modern warfare.
Earlier, upon arrival at firing ranges, Chairman JCSC was received by
Lieutenant General Hamood Uz Zaman Khan, Commander Army Air Defence Command.
Earlier on Tuesday, Nong Rong paid tribute to Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, laid a floral wreath at his mausoleum.
Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan noted: “Honoured to pay tribute to Quaid-e-Azam M. Ali Jinnah in my first visit to Karachi. Pakistan is a great nation. Wish Pakistan progress and prosperity under the guidance of his vision.”
In September 2020, China had nominated Nong Rong as a new ambassador to Pakistan who was earlier serving as a minister in a provincial government.
Nong Rong is a political appointee who has expertise in trade and commerce.
The Chinese Ambassador for Pakistan Yao Jing had been transferred back to headquarters in Beijing for the next posting.
He had been transferred two months before completing his three-year tenure.
Unlike the outgoing ambassador, he didn’t serve in Pakistan before the appointment.
Ambassador Yao Jing has served in Pakistan thrice in various capacities and in aggregate stayed in Islamabad for eleven years.
