Diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China were established on 21 May 1951, shortly after the
Republic Of China lost power in
the Mainland in 1949. While initially ambivalent towards the idea of a Communist country on its borders, Pakistan hoped that China would serve as a counterweight to Indian influence. And indian and chinese border tensions leading to the 1962 Sino-Indian war, China and Pakistan aligned with each other in a joint effort to counter perceived Indian encroachment. One year after China's border war with India, Pakistan ceded the
Trans-Karakoram Tract to China to end border disputes and improve diplomatic relations.
Since then, an informal alliance that initially consisted of joint Indian opposition has grown into a lasting relationship that has benefited both nations on the diplomatic, economic and military frontiers. Along with diplomatic support, Pakistan served as a conduit for China to open up to the West. China has in turn provided extensive economic aid and political support to Pakistan.
Pakistan's military initially depended on American armaments and aid, which was increased during the covert U.S. support of Islamic militants in the
Soviet war in Afghanistan. However, the period following the Soviet withdrawal and the
dissolution of the Soviet Union led indirectly to the increasing realignment of America with the previously pro-Soviet India. The Pressler Amendment in 1990 suspended all American military assistance and any new economic aid amidst concerns that Pakistan was attempting to develop a nuclear weapon. Given the support that Pakistan had given them during the War in Afghanistan, many Pakistanis saw this as a betrayal that sold out Pakistani interests in favor of India. This belief was further strengthened as India had developed a nuclear weapon without significant American opposition, and Pakistan felt obligated to do the same. Consequently, the primarily geopolitical alliance between Pakistan and China has since 1990 branched out into military and economic cooperation, due to Pakistan's belief that America's influence and support in the region should be counterbalanced by the Chinese.
With the U.S.-led
war in Afghanistan, there is a general sentiment in Pakistan to adopt a foreign policy which favors China over the United States. Washington has been accused deserting Pakistan in favor of a policy that favors stronger relations with India, while Pakistan sees China as a more reliable ally over the long term.
Since
9/11, Pakistan has increased the scope of Chinese influence and support by agreeing to a number of military projects, combined with extensive economic support and investment from the Chinese. This is partially due to Pakistan's strategy of playing off the two powers against each other, but also a genuine effort to prevent America's influence in the region from becoming too strong. In return, the Chinese hope to strengthen Pakistan as a counterbalance to American and Indian influence.
Military Relations
There are strong military ties between People's Republic of China and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. This alliance between two neighbouring Asian nations is significant geo-politically. The strong military ties primarily aim to counter regional Indian and American influence, and was also to repel
Soviet influence in the area. In recent years this relationship has strengthened through ongoing military projects and agreements between Pakistan and China.
Since 1962, China has been a steady source of military equipment to the
Pakistani Army, helping establish munition factories, providing technological assistance and modernizing existing facilities.
Hongdu JL-8 is co-produced by both Pakistan and China.
Most recently, the Chinese
Chengdu J-10B fighter was compared to its closest American counterpart, the
Lockheed Martin F-16C Block 52/60, the most advanced F-16, for orders on either aircraft for the
Pakistan Air Force, resulting in the wins of the Chinese
Chengdu J-10B. Accordingly, the
Chengdu J-10B had more advanced technology such as its radar and OLS targeting system, and its new generation stealthy features, such as its DSI intake gave it an edge over the
Lockheed Martin F-16.
China and Pakistan are involved in several projects to enhance military and weaponry systems, which include the joint development of the
JF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft,
K-8 Karakorum advance
training aircraft, a tailor made training aircraft for the
Pakistan Air Force based on the Chinese domestic
Hongdu L-15,
space technology,
AWACS systems,
Al-Khalid tanks, which China granted license production and tailor made modifications based on the initial Chinese Type 90 and/or MBT-2000. The Chinese has designed tailor made advanced weapons for Pakistan, making it a strong military power in the Asian region. The armies have a schedule for organising joint military exercises.
China is the largest investor in Pakistan's
Gwadar Deep Sea Port, which is strategically located at the mouth of the
Strait of Hormuz. It is viewed warily by both America and India as a possible launchpad for the Chinese Navy, giving them the ability to launch submarines and warships in the Indian Ocean.However the Gwadar Port is currently delayed due to a
multilateral diplomatic standoff between the project leaders and the Singaporean government.
China has offered Pakistan military aid in order to fight against terrorism in Pakistan. Pakistan has purchased military equipment from China in order to bolster their efforts against Islamic militants.
In the past, China has played a major role in the development of Pakistan's nuclear infrastructure, especially when increasingly stringent export controls in
Western countries made it difficult for Pakistan to acquire plutonium and uranium enriching equipment from elsewhere such as the Chinese help in building the
Khushab reactor, which plays a key role in Pakistan's production of plutonium. A subsidiary of the
China National Nuclear Corporation contributed in Pakistan's efforts to expand its uranium enrichment capabilities by providing 5,000 custom made ring magnets, which are a key component of the bearings that facilitate the high-speed rotation of centrifuges. China has also provided technical and material support in the completion of the
Chashma Nuclear Power Complex and plutonium reprocessing facility, which was built in the mid-1990s.
China has become increasing concerned about al-Qaeda linked
terrorism originating in Pakistan and sought help to set up military bases on Pakistani soil to deal with the problem.
Economic Relations
Economic trade between Pakistan and China is increasing at a rapid pace and a free trade agreement has recently been signed. Military and technological transactions continue to dominate the economic relationship between the two nations, although in recent years China has pledged to vastly increase their investment in Pakistan's economy and infrastructure. Among other things, China has been helping to develop Pakistan's infrastructure through the building of power plants, roads and communication nodes. Current trade between both countries is at $9 billion, making China the second largest trade partner of Pakistan.
Both countries are keen on strengthening the economic ties between the two, and have promised to 'propel' cross-border trade. This has led to investment in Pakistan's nascent financial and energy sectors, amidst a surge of Chinese investment designed to strengthen ties. Pakistan has in turn been granted free trade zones in China.
The economic relationship between Pakistan and China is composed primarily of Chinese investment in Pakistani interests. China's increasing economic clout has enabled a wide variety of projects to be sponsored in Pakistan through Chinese credit. Pakistani investment in China is also encouraged, and cross-border trade remains fluid.
In 2011 China Kingho Group canceled a $19 billion mining deal because of security concerns.
On 26 April,
China Mobile announced
$ 1 billion of investment in
Pakistan in telecommunication infrastructure and training of its officials within a period of three years.
[30] The announcement came a day after China Mobile subsidy
Zong emerged as the highest bidder in the 3G auction, claiming a 10 MHz 3G band licence, qualifying for the 4G licence.
Pakistan-China Economic Corridor
Pak-China Economic Corridor is under construction. It will connect Pakistan with China and the Central Asian countries with highway connecting Kashgar to Khunjrab and
Gwadar.
[ Gwadar port in southern Pakistan will serve as the trade nerve center for China, as most of its trade especially that of oil will be done through the port, which is already controlled by
Beijing. Currently, sixty percent of China’s oil must be transported by ship from the
Persian Gulf to the only commercial port in China, Shanghai, a distance of more than 16,000 kilometres. The journey takes two to three months, during which time the ships are vulnerable to pirates, bad weather, political rivals and other risks. Using Gwadar port instead will reduce the distance these ships must travel and will also enable oil transfers to be made year-round.
If you love China, love Pakistan too.
Li Keqiang,
Premier of the People's Republic of China
The support with which China and Pakistan give each other is considered significant in global diplomacy, and has been compared to
Israel – United States relations. In 2010, when a US delegate confronted a Chinese diplomat about Beijing's uncompromising support for Pakistan, the Chinese reportedly responded: "Pakistan is our Israel."According to a Pew survey of Pakistan public opinion in 2010, 84 percent of respondents said they had a favorable view of China and 16 percent had a favorable view of the United States. These results showed that Pakistan is the most pro-China country in the world.Similarly, the Chinese state-run media has portrayed Pakistan in a favorable light in regional issues. In 2013, this figure increased to 90% of Pakistanis having a favorable view of China.
Pakistan and China have long praised the close ties the two countries have with each other. China has been referred to by Pakistani President
Pervez Musharraf as their "time-tested and all-weather friend", while in return Chinese president Hu Jintao has referred to Pakistan as "a good friend and partner".These statements are noted by some observers as occurring after Pakistani relations with the United States or India have become strained, such as after
Osama Bin Laden was killed by American forces without Pakistan's prior permission.
On July 2013,
Pew Research Center as part of there
Global Attitudes Project declared
Pakistan to have the most positive view of China in the world, according to the research 81% of Pakistanis responded favorable to China. On the other hand only 11% of Pakistanis had favorable view on
United States, lowest in the world.
Pakistan, with its strategic position, natural resources and warm-water ports, has long been an ally of Beijing. The Chinese see the south Asian state, the closest they have to a friend both in south Asia and in the Islamic world, as important to the security and development of their western, predominantly Muslim provinces, and as a useful aide in efforts to counter the influence of India. In recent years, links have grown closer.
1950 – Pakistan becomes the third non-communist country, and first Muslim one, to recognize the People's Republic of China.
1951 – Beijing and
Karachi establish diplomatic relations.
1963 – Pakistan cedes the Trans-Karakoram Tract to China, ending border disputes.
1970 – Pakistan helps the U.S. arrange the
1972 Nixon visit to China.
1978 – The
Karakoram Highway linking the mountainous
Northern Pakistan with Western China officially opens.
1980s – China and the U.S. provide support through Pakistan to the
Afghan guerillasfighting
Soviet forces.
1986 – China and Pakistan reach a comprehensive nuclear co-operation agreement.
1996 – Chinese President
Jiang Zemin pays a state visit to Pakistan.
1999 – A 300-megawatt nuclear power plant, built with Chinese help in
Punjab province, is completed.
2001 – A joint-ventured Chinese-Pakistani tank, the
MBT-2000 (Al-Khalid) MBT is completed.
2002 – The building of the
Gwadar deep sea port begins, with China as the primary investor.
2003 – Pakistan and China signed a $110 million contract for the construction of a housing project on Multan Road in Lahore
2007 – The
Sino-Pakistani joint-ventured
multirole fighter aircraft – the
JF-17 Thunder (FC-1 Fierce Dragon) is formally rolled out.
2008 – Pakistan welcomes the Chinese Olympic Torch in an Islamabad sports stadium, under heavy guard amidst security concerns.
2008 – China and Pakistan sign a free trade agreement.
2008 – Pakistan and China to build a railway through the
Karakoram Highway, in order to link China's rail network to
Gwadar Port.
2008 – The
F-22P frigate, comes into service with the
Pakistani Navy.
2009 – The
ISI arrest several suspected
Uyghur terrorists seeking refuge in Pakistan.
2010 – Pakistan and China conduct a joint anti-terrorism drill.
2010 – China donates $260 million in dollars to flood hit Pakistan and sends 4 military rescue helicopters to assist in rescue operations.
2010 –
Wen Jiabao visits Pakistan. More than 30 billion dollars worth of deals were signed.
2011 – Pakistan is expected to buy air to air SD 10 missiles from China for its 250 JF 17 thunder fighter fleet
2013 - Management of
Gwadar port is handed over to state-run Chinese Overseas Port Holdings after previously being managed by Singapore’s PSA Internationaland it becomes a matter of
great concern for India
.
2013 – Chinese Premier Li Keqiang visits Pakistan. Trade between China and Pakistan hit a 12-month figure of $12 billion for the first time in 2012.
2013 – On 5 July 2013, Pakistan and China approved the
Pak-China Economic corridor which will link Pakistan’s
Gwadar Port on the
Arabian Sea and Kashghar in
Xinjiang in northwest China. The
$18 billion project will also includes the construction of a 200km-long tunnel.
2013 – On 24 December 2013, China announced a commitment $6.5 billion to finance the construction of a major nuclear power project in
Karachi, the project which will have two reactors with a capacity of 1,100 megawatts each.
2014: Chinese Premier announced investment of $31.5 billion in Pakistan mainly in countries energy, infrastructure and port expansion for
Gwadar. According to
The Express Tribune initially projects worth $15-20 billion will be started which include Lahore-Karachi motorway, Gwadar Port expansion and energy sector projects will be launched in
Gadani and six coal projects near
Thar coalfield. The newspaper further claimed that the government has also handed over to Pakistan Army the task of providing fool-proof security to Chinese officials in
Balochistan, Pakistan in a bid to address
Beijing’s concerns and execute the investment plan in the province, which will get 38% of the funds.
2014: On 22 May 2014, The governments of Pakistan and China on Thursday signed an agreement to start a metro train project in Lahore, Express News reported. The 27.1 kilometres long track – named Orange Line – will be built at the cost of $1.27 billion.
