BEIJING: China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (CSIC) has confirmed to export eight submarines to Pakistan, according to a leading Chinese daily.
A conference was held to discuss the details of the arrangement and according to CSIC Chairman Hu Wenming, the conference aimed to continue the spirit generated by Chinese President Xi Jinping’s speeches on the Belt and Road Construction Work Symposium.
Back in April, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif approved the deal – costing between $4 billion to $5 billion – and dubbed it as ‘one of China’s largest overseas weapons’ sale, once signed”.
Four of the eight submarines will reportedly be built at Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works (KSEW), while the remaining four submarines will be built in China.
China’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying said that ‘China and Pakistan are neighbours of traditional friendship with close cooperation in various fields’.
The normal cooperation between the two sides in the field of military industry and trade is in line with their respective international commitment, he added.
