The Pakistani and Chinese attack choppers swoop low across the valley,strafing a mock terrorist hideout and a bomb-making factory. Then a joint commando team storms the camp,to the gentle applause of top brass from both nations watching from the stands. The fact that such a drill is needed reflects a new concern troubling their long-standing alliance: Chinese militants along the Afghan border allegedly aiding separatism in China and plotting terrorist attacks there. Chinas good will is vital to Pakistan: China is its largest defence supplier,and it has helped construct two nuclear reactors. Chinese economic interests are threatened because militants have made parts of the country no-go areas. Chinese companies are investing in oil,gas and coal extraction to fuel their countrys rapidly expanding economy. There are hundreds of Chinese citizens working in Pakistan. Chinas main interest in Pakistan is countering rising Indian power in the region,a goal that is shared by Islamabad,which views India as an enemy. The dramatic war games in the dusty,hilly Punjab countryside were the kind of Pakistani public display of international anti-terror cooperation that Washington could only dream of,given the environment of mistrust. Terrorism is something which is a threat to China,in some ways,and to other countries in the world as well, Pakistani Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani told journalists alongside Chinas deputy chief of general staff,Gen. Hou Shusen. There is a need to share our experiences with our Chinese friends, the Pakistani army chief said.
