Army chief returns home from China

Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman returned home yesterday (27 August) after completing an official visit to China, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a press release today (28 August).

During the visit, General Waker-Uz-Zaman held courtesy meetings with senior Chinese military and civilian officials, including General Chen Hui, Political Commissar of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Ground Forces. Discussions focused on issues of bilateral interest.

On 22 August, upon his arrival at the PLA Headquarters, the army chief was accorded a Guard of Honour.

He later held a courtesy meeting with General Chen Hui, where they discussed matters including strategic cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, and China's potential assistance in the repatriation of forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals.

They also explored the possibility of Chinese support in developing Bangladesh's military industry.

On 23 August, General Waker-Uz-Zaman met with Chen Defang, president of China's NORINCO Group. The discussions centred on issues related to the Bangladesh Army's operational interests, including the upgrading and maintenance of NORINCO-supplied military equipment currently in use by the Bangladesh Army.

Besides, the army chief visited the training facilities at the Beijing campus of the PLA Academy of Armoured Forces, including its military equipment production laboratories.

Notably, Bangladesh Army officers receive technical training at this internationally recognised institution.

In addition, General Waker-Uz-Zaman visited several factories and research centres operated by NORINCO Group in Beijing and Xiang, as well as facilities of China Aerospace Long-March International Co Ltd and the Aisheng UAV Factory.

He also inspected other advanced weapons and ammunition manufacturing plants.

The army chief departed for China on 20 August on an official visit.