Musharraf visits Chengdu compnay manufacturing JF-17 fighter Craft
'Pakistan Times' Special Correspondent
CHENDGU (China): President General Pervez Musharraf Thursday visited
the Chendgu aircraft industrial corporation and described JF-17 fighter aircraft, jointly
developed by Pakistan and China, as
a major leap forward in bilateral cooperation.
The company is manufacturing JF-17 thunder jet, which has been jointly funded and developed by Pakistan and China since the launch of the
landmark project in 1999.
He went around design and research institutes of the facility and its avionics laboratory in the capital of the southwest Sichuan province.
President Musharraf met with officers of Pakistan Air Force, who are engaged
in the joint JF-17 thunder jet project.The maiden flight of JF-17 took place
in September 2003.
Recording his impressions in the Visitors Book, the President stated that Pakistan is proud of its defense ties with China.
All-weather Friendship
"The JF-17 marks a major leap forward in cooperation between the two countries. "I see further cementing of our bilateral cooperation and a
long-term all-weather friendship between the two countries,"he remarked.
He also witnessed the assembly line of the fighter aircraft and
inspected two prototypes at the Flight Test Station.
Later, the Pakistani leader also visited Dong Sang Electric Supply
Corporation and appreciated its contribution to stepping up economic activity in the country.
The corporation established power generation units and power transfers at the Ghazi Barotha Project and is currently engaged in Jinnah Hydro
Power Project, near Mianwali and Allai Khar project in North Western Frontier
Province.
President Musharraf planted a sapling of an evergreen tree as mark of his visit and further strengthening of all-time friendship.
Coinciding with 55th anniversary celebrations of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China, the
President's visit has been hailed by the two sides as a milestone in
further augmenting their multi-faceted relationship.•
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