Pakistan and China maintain a deep and long-standing relationship which anchored by enduring strategic, socio-economic and security ties that extend far beyond global and regional concerns. Both nations have an unshakeable bond, rooted in shared interests, cultural values, historic political and trade ties as well as by mutual interests. Pakistan was the first Muslim country to recognize People Republic of China (PRC) as an independent and sovereign country on January 1950, but formaly diplomatic relations were established on May 21, 1951. Since then, China has become and remains Pakistan’s most reliable and trustworthy partner in South Asia. In this regard, the year 2026 marks a historic milestone for Pakistan-China as the two countries celebrate 75 years of establishment of diplomatic relations which characterise by underpins close cooperation and sustain high level of operational understanding and coordination on all level of capabilities. The relationship has stood geopolitical upheavals neck to neck to evolve into an “All Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership” and repeatedly cherished as “Iron Clad Friendship,” which is a unique event of unflinching bilateral trust and mutual understanding.
China is Pakistan’s closest ally and its support is a central pillar of Pakistan’s economic, technological and strategic strength. As per the Chairman Mao words, “Pakistan is China’s southwestern gate” and it is in China’s interest to strengthen the country. Therefore, China always provided technical, material and economic assistance to boost the country’s capability, which helped Pakistan defend itself during times of crisis. China’s technological, intelligence and security cooperation has benefited Pakistan significantly, particularly during the recent crisis following the Pahalgam incident in Indian-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir in May 2025, when Pakistan mounted a calculated diplomatic and military response. Moreover, China has historically served as a key diplomatic ally of Pakistan and has frequently used its veto power in the UN Security Council to block resolutions that Pakistan considers contrary to its interests.
From the early days of diplomatic relations, both countries laid the foundation of ‘mutual trust’, which has remained at the core of their contemporary partnership and mutual coordination. Islamabad backed Beijing at a time when it stood isolated on the world stage and Pakistan was the first country to formally encounter at the highest levels at Bandung (Indonesia) in 1955 and assured China’s support and its independence. Prime Minister, Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawary, was the first leader from Pakistan to visit Beijing in October 1956 and later Premier Zhou En Lai visited Pakistan. This was a time when China’s border negotiations with India failed (1962) and Pakistan-China succeeded in concluding a border treaty in 1963. China even conceded 750 square miles of territory to Pakistan. Furthermore, in 1964, Pakistan became the first non-communist country to begin its flights to China and they used Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) to travel other countries of the world. It was a time when Pakistan come closer to China and Islamabad denounced “Two China policy” in 1965 and adopted “One China Policy” and Beijing began to regard Pakistan as a trustworthy partner in South Asia. Moreover, during the 1965 Indo-Pakistan war, China fully supported Pakistan and the event has created impressive image of China in Pakistan.
Chinese built Karakoram Highway as strategic and economic route linking China’s Xinjiang region with Gilgit-Baltistan of Pakistan. On the other hand, Pakistan firmly supported China’s membership in the United Nations (UN) in 1971 and also played a facilitator role to mobilise secret trip of Henry Kissinger to Beijing which fundamentally transformed the global geopolitics. After the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war, China openly supported Pakistan against India and exercised its first veto in the UNSC for Pakistan which made it possible for the safe return of Pakistani prisoners of war to homeland. In 1986, Pakistan and China signed an agreement on civilian nuclear cooperation and nuclear power plants set up in Pakistan under the agreement of International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards. Further, China provided special assistance to Pakistan in the field of economic development and military hardware and built heavy industry ccomplex at Taxila. China also built-up Pakistan’s indigenous military-industrial capacity in shape of Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) which produced landmark JF-17 fighter aircraft. Both countries have taken joint initiatives including building naval frigates and submarines, alongside launching joint earth-observation and communication satellites (such as PRSS-1 and PakTES-1A). In this regard, the induction of advanced J-10C fighter jets and Karakorum-8 (K-8) light assault trainers. Moreover, deployment of the long-range HQ-9/P air defense missile system to secure Pakistan’s airspace is also a brilliant achievement for Pakistan security. In the same way, China also delivered of advanced 054A/P guided-missile frigates (such as the PNS Tughril and PNS Taimur) to bolster the Pakistan Navy’s surface combat capabilities.
On the other hand, China has initiated the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a multi-billion-dollar framework of regional connectivity, infrastructure and energy projects designed to accelerate Pakistan’s economic modernization and development. In this regard, Pakistan was among the first countries to join the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), with CPEC serving as a major connectivity project linking China’s Xinjiang region with Gilgit-Baltistan in Pakistan.
CPEC will not only benefit China but will also boost Pakistan’s economy. The project has developed Gwadar Port in Balochistan, which serves as a strategic trade hub. The port is connected with airport, a desalination plant and social development projects. Chinese investment has also helped address critical domestic power shortages through major coal, solar and hydroelectric power plants and communication networks. Furthermore, the project will help Pakistan overcome its serious development deficit and facilitate its trade and economic progress.
In the final analysis, Pakistan and China share vital interests driven by common security concerns and threats in the South Asian region. Pakistan views its relations with China as a core pillar of its regional policy, aimed at maintaining its security and survival, countering common adversaries and advancing shared geopolitical interests. The relationship between the two countries functions as a mutually beneficial partnership, with China providing diplomatic and strategic support to Pakistan, while Pakistan provides a qualitative strategic advantage to China as a reliable and capable partner in the volatile region. However, Pakistan also serves as an important strategic arena for China’s interests and its presence in the region serves as a counterbalance to Indian influence, which both countries view as essential to maintaining peace and stability.
The writer is defence and security analyst from [email protected]
