SINCE the formation of their diplomatic relations in May 1951, China-Pakistan relations have evolved into a strong friendship. Pakistan was one of the first countries to recognize the People`s Republic of China (PRC) and considers the PRC its closest friend and reliable partner. China persistently refers to Pakistan as an “Iron-brother” and supportive partner. Pakistan is at the top of China’s list of diplomatic relations. The historical bond between the two countries has been cemented by cooperation in various areas. China, firmly upholding its policy of non-interference, respects Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The strategically situated Pakistan is key to China’s interests in the region and beyond. Pakistan looks toward China in testing times for its support on many international and regional issues.
The two countries firmly support each other’s national interests, whatever the shifts in global politics. The emerging challenges in international relations amid the Russia-Ukraine war, Beijing and Islamabad have largely aligned. China supports Pakistan`s stance on Kashmir and has persistently demanded the resolution of the disputed valley through UN Resolutions. China boycotted the recent India-hosted G-20 meeting in Srinagar, reaffirming its stance on Kashmir and its firm diplomatic support for Pakistan. Likewise, Pakistan supports China`s national interests and its stance over Taiwan, Xinjiang and the South China Sea. China has strictly upheld its policy of non-interference in Pakistan`s internal affairs. During the political crisis that was triggered because of Imran Khan’s ouster in April 2022, China avoided the temptation to play political favourites in Pakistan`s domestic politics.
In November last year, Pakistan`s Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, paid a visit to China and met the PRC`s top leaders, including China`s Premier Li Keqiang and President Xi Jinping. During the visit, the leaders of the two countries expressed satisfaction over China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) progress and the extension of the flagship project to Afghanistan was also agreed upon. China also maintains strong connections with Pakistan`s military which has made great efforts to ensure the security and smooth progress of the CPEC. In times of complicated security challenges at regional as well as international levels, military cooperation between the two countries is key to their longstanding strategic partnership and mutual interests. In recent years, China and Pakistan have enhanced their military equipment and technology cooperation. Recently, Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Syed Asim Munir visited China where he met China`s People`s Liberation Army (PLA) Commander, Gen. Zhang. Zhang, during his meeting with Pakistan`s COAS, said “China always places Pakistan on priority in its neighborhood diplomacy and firmly supports Pakistan in its sovereignty, territorial integrity, development interests and national dignity.
The bilateral relations have deepened with the launch of the CPEC, the flagship project of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). While China has long provided Pakistan with economic support, CPEC encompasses a variety of initiatives that are vital to strengthening Pakistan’s economy.With the initiation of CPEC, bilateral trade between nations has reached new heights. China is Pakistan’s largest trading partner and one of its leading investors. In the first fiscal year 2022–2023, its contribution was 23.83% ($105 million to its FDI). Steering through a difficult economic situation characterized by low foreign exchange reserves and the growing external debt repayment crisis, China has rendered much-needed economic assistance to Pakistan. In the current economic crisis, amid delays in deals with the IMF, China has once again rescued Pakistan’s economy.
The narrative wrongfully portrays Pakistan`s Gwadar port, a main feature of CPEC and an entry point for the enormously lucrative trade routes, as being converted into a Chinese military base. In fact, with China’s investment, Gwadar is going to emerge as an international trade hub and help Pakistan achieve sustainable economic growth goals. In addition, there is the rhetoric that China`s loans to developing nations can push them into a debt trap and result in a loss of sovereignty and Pakistan might be the case. The debt is never forced on a recipient country which must avoid a debt trap. There is no instance where a country has gone bankrupt under the weight of Chinese loans.
China has emerged as an influential regional and international player that can resolve disputes rather than merely export weapons to the warring parties. China advocated greater engagement between the conflicting sides in Afghanistan to end the 20-year US War. Recently, it played a successful mediatory role in restoring diplomatic ties between Saudi Arabia and Iran and is now trying its hands at resolving the Israel-Palestine conflict. China`s successful mediation in global politics also opens new avenues for Pakistan to leverage its geostrategic location and promote its geo-economic interests with the help of China. As more countries get closer to China, it will provide Pakistan with opportunities to promote its national interests.
—The Author is working as Research Officer in Balochistan Think Tank Network (BTTN), at BUITEMS, Quetta.
