Pakistan-China Relations

Introduction
Pak-China friendship is best ever since the inception of Pakistan. This friendship is called
time-tested and all-weathered. Both countries have strong diplomatic, defense, economic, and
cultural relationships. Pakistan has always supported China in all issues including the right to
Taiwan and the One-China Policy. Similarly, China has always supported Pakistan in the
Kashmir issue. China has also provided diplomatic, defense, and economic support to Pakistan.
China has the potential to be the next superpower and has significant interests in Pakistan to
fulfill its political and economic motives. Pakistan also needs good relations with China. The
relationship between China and Pakistan has been described by the Pakistan ambassador to
China as "higher than the Himalayas, deeper than the Ocean, stronger than steel, dearer than
eyesight, and sweeter than honey".

History of Pak-China Relations

Pakistan and China have had strong relations ever since the inception of Pakistan. In 1950,
Pakistan became the third non-communist country and the first Muslim country to recognize the
People's Republic of China (PRC). Diplomatic relations between the two countries started in
1951. In 1963, Pakistan solved border disputes with China by acceding Trans-Karakoram Track
to China. In 1971, Pakistan played an important role in bringing the US and China closer by
secretly arranging US President Nixon's visit to China.

In 1978, Pakistan and China were linked by the Karakoram Highway. In 1986, Pakistan and
China reached a comprehensive nuclear cooperation agreement in which China promised to
build four nuclear reactors in Pakistan by 2011. In short, Pakistan and China have been
time-tested friends ever since inception. The relation between Pakistan and China can be
discussed as follows:

Diplomatic Relations

Three subject matters in Pakistan enjoy unanimous nationwide support: Kashmir, A-bomb, and
China. China also enjoys a 90% favorability rating in Pakistan. PTV daily broadcasts a song
about Pak-China friendship.

Strong diplomatic ties exist because Pakistan considers China an all-weathered friend. China
transfers technology to Pakistan, and both countries want to counter US-India interests in the
region and launch joint counter-terrorism efforts.
Pakistan recognized PRC in 1950, and diplomatic ties were forged in 1951. In 1963, the
relationship became strong after the Sino-India war of 1962 when Pakistan acceded the
Trans-Karakoram track to China. Since then, both countries have maintained good diplomatic,
defense, economic, and cultural relations.

Pakistan joined SEATO and CENTO, assuring China that it was only to protect itself and not to
contain China. Pakistan withdrew from SEATO and CENTO when it joined the Non-Alignment
Movement (NAM) in 1979 at the Havana Summit.

There are five tenets on which Pak-China diplomatic ties rely:

● Mutual respect for each other's territorial integrity and sovereignty

● Mutual non-aggression
● Mutual non-interference in each other's internal affairs
● Equality and mutual benefit
● Peaceful co-existence

In 1971, Pakistan played a vital role in ending tensions between the US and China by arranging
a visit of US President Nixon to China. Since then, both countries have frequent visits of leaders
who are warmly welcomed by the other country.

Pakistan has supported China in all its issues relating to the right to Taiwan and the One-China
policy. China also supports Pakistan in issues like the Kashmir issue, Mumbai attacks, and the
UBL Abbottabad episode.

There is a tacit understanding between Pakistan and China that "hidden foreign hands" behind
terrorism and instability in Pakistan and Afghanistan sabotage the security of the region and
derail Sino-Pak relations.

2011 was designated as the "Year of China-Pakistan Friendship".

Defense Relations

China provides material support to Pakistan's Army, Navy, and Air Force. In 2013, Pakistan
emerged as the largest recipient of Chinese arms exports. In 2008-2012, 55% of China's arms
exports went to Pakistan.

Pakistan is also thought to benefit from China's plutonium-based nuclear program. China is
believed to facilitate Islamabad's nuclear weapons capability.

China has built two nuclear power plants in Pakistan in the 1990s and signed a deal to build two
more. Pakistan and China are interested in counterbalancing the nuclear deals between India
and the United States. Karachi and Chashma Nuclear Power Plants and Karachi Coastal Power
Project are major outcomes of this cooperation.
Joint Fighter 17 (JF-17) is a low-cost, single-engine, multirole aircraft developed by Pakistan
and China in the late 1990s. Both countries have also jointly developed K8 Karakoram
advanced training aircraft and Al-Khalid tank.

In April 2015, China concluded the sale of 8 conventional submarines worth 5 billion USD to
Pakistan.

It is also believed that Chinese military engineers have examined wreckage of a US stealth
helicopter procured by Pakistan intelligence services in the Abbottabad incident.

China has also helped Pakistan in fighting the War On Terror (WOT) and has urged the US to
acknowledge Pakistan's role in the Global War On Terror (GWOT) and avoid excessive criticism.

Economic Relations

Pakistan and China have bilateral economic cooperation in the form of Joint Economic
Commission, Economic Cooperation Group, Joint Energy Working Group, and a Joint
Investment Company.

In 2006, Pakistan and China signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and a 5-year Development
Program on Economic and Trade Cooperation.

By 2013, China was the 2nd largest trading partner of Pakistan.

Currently, China has undertaken different developmental projects in Pakistan in the fields of
education, healthcare, energy, water, environment, and ICTs.

Pakistan is the only country in South Asia with an FTA and currency swap agreement (direct
trade without the use of USD as an intermediary trade currency) with China.

China has helped Pakistan in various projects like:

● Building/running of Basha and Bunji dams

● Karakoram Highway
● Pakistan aeronautical complex
● Gwadar deep sea port
● Indus highway
● Saindak Copper and Gold Mine Project
● Duda lead-zinc mine project
● Thal coal mining project

Various investments of China in Pakistan include:

● Building of CPEC
● Investment in heavy industry, infrastructure, and energy
● China Mobile
 ● Industrial and Commercial Bank of China

China is investing in Gwadar Port and CPEC. Pakistan will become the hub of trade,
transportation, and economic corridor because it is situated in the center of China, South Asia,
Central Asia, and West Asia. Similarly, Gwadar port shares a border with Iran, lies at the apex of
the Arabian Peninsula, and is close (180 nautical miles) to the Strait of Hormuz. 35% of the
world's oil passes through the Strait of Hormuz. Pakistan can also provide transit to Afghanistan
and CARs.

Future cooperation is geared towards space science and technology, maritime security, and
climate change.

Cultural Relations

There are cultural relations between Pakistan and China. Currently, People-to-people
exchanges including students, scholars, workers, and media are among the priority list in future
Sino-Pak relations.

Pakistani students are learning Chinese.

Confucius Centre has been established in NUML and Islamic University.

Exchange in science and technology is being encouraged under the Cooperative Educational
Program.

Pak-China Friendship Centre is also established in Islamabad.

How Pakistan Sees China

Pakistan sees China as a powerful neighbor and defense and economic partner.

China is a powerful ally to have. China holds a veto right in the UN and is a member of NSGs.

Development of Gwadar port by China will create an opportunity for Pakistan to intensify its
commercial relations with the energy-rich CARs.

Pakistan also needs China to mitigate Indian influence in the region.

China also transfers technology to Pakistan to enable it to become self-reliant.

Currently, both Pakistan and China have their focus on the economy which has strengthened
the ties between the two countries.

How China Sees Pakistan

Containment of India through Pakistan is important for China.

The geopolitics of Pakistan is important to China. China imports 50% of its oil from the Middle
East and 20% from Africa, which passes through the Strait of Malacca where it is facing security
concerns because of the presence of Indian and American military bases. Gwadar offers secure
and short access to sea routes to the Indian Ocean from Xinjiang.

China is also interested in using Islamabad's good relations with Muslim countries, specifically
Middle Eastern nations.

Pakistan is also a market for Chinese goods and services.

Major Concerns of Pakistan and China

China continues to advise Pakistan to develop its economy and foster good relations with other
countries, including India. CPEC is a glimpse of this notion.

China is also concerned about terrorism, extremism, insecurity, and instability in Pakistan.

China is also concerned about the links between Al-Qaeda, TTP, and Uighur East Turkestan
Islamic Movement (ETIM). ETIM is a militant group that operates in the Chinese province of
Xinjiang.

China is also concerned about the security of Chinese workers in Pakistan.

China and Pakistan are also concerned about the outside involvement of the US and India in
activities aimed at sabotaging Pak-China relations. The US and India are trying to hinder the
Gwadar Project and CPEC.

India is also meddling in Balochistan, FATA, and Karachi, which is a source of concern for both
Pakistan and China.

Trade imbalance with China is also a concern for Islamabad.

Conclusion
Thus, China and Pakistan are all-weathered and time-tested friends. Their relationship is higher
than the Himalayas and sweeter than honey. Both enjoy strong diplomatic, defense, economic,
and cultural ties. Both understand each other, help, and support each other. Both want peace
and stability in the region and to curtail the influence of India, the US, and Russia in the region.
They are also working together to overcome the current challenges being faced by the region.

China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) (Chinese: 中巴经济走廊; pinyin: Zhōng

bā jīngjì zǒuláng; Urdu: ‫ )چین پاکستان اقتصادی راہداری‬is a 3,000 km Chinese infrastructure
 [9]
network project in construction in Pakistan. This sea-and-land-based corridor is
[9]
aimed to secure and reduce the passage for China's energy imports from the Middle
East, by avoiding the existing route from the Straits of Malacca between Malaysia and
Indonesia, which, in case of war could be blockaded, and thus hamper the Chinese
[1][10][11]
energy-dependent economic avenues. Developing a deep water port at
Gwadar in the Arabian Sea and a well built road and rail line from this port to Xinjiang
region in western China would be a shortcut for boosting the trade between Europe and
[1][10]
China. In Pakistan, it aims to overcome an electricity shortfall, infrastructural
development and modernize transportation networks. Along with shifting it from an
agricultural based economic structure to industrial based.

Benefits of CPEC:

Economic Boost:
The CPEC, on completion, will show a major increase in Pakistan’s economy by increasing trade
with China, Central Asia, Russia, Middle East and Europe. Even within the construction phase and
completion of the CPEC there will be a visible economic growth in Pakistan by about three percent
because of increase in industrial development due to the availability of resources.

Real Estate:
Between the construction phase of the CPEC and after the completion of CPEC route the value of
the land surrounding is improving significantly and is providing many commercial opportunities to
owners and developers of the land.

Agricultural Growth:
Due to increase in agricultural production Pakistan will observe a significant agricultural growth with
cooperation of China and sharing modern technology and strategies along with our feasible weather
conditions.

Foreign Investment:
CPEC will promote foreign investment in Pakistan which will ultimately show an increase in our
economic growth rate.

Great opportunities of Import and Export:

Another major advantage would be the increase in trade from which revenue will be generated,
which will be earned from transiting goods to and from other countries.

Employment Opportunities:
CPEC would create employment opportunities for the local people to an extent of about two to three
million which will contribute towards economic conditions of Pakistan.

Tourism Development and Promotion:

The CPEC would provide for ideal tourism conditions in Pakistan, facilitating the flourishing of the
tourism and hotel industry of Pakistan by providing a safe route and attractive commercial activity
around Gwadar city.

Pakistan’s International role will be more prominent:

Many regional and extra-regional countries will be joining CPEC; this will improve Pakistan’s
international stature, our contacts and will create an aura of peace and stability in the region.

Opportunity to develop and improve relationship with other regional Countries:

South Asian countries will also prefer CPEC lead geo-economics over geopolitics and resolving
major disputes like Jammu & Kashmir will get easier and peace will be achieved successfully. This
would also facilitate South Asia’s interconnectivity and its connectivity with China, Central Asia, West
Asia and Russia.

Defence Support:
CPEC will definitely bring vast strategic and economic advantages to Pakistan and regions
surrounding it. Not only will CPEC be beneficial for the country but the citizens of Pakistan will also
be able to bear fruits of its development on an individual level.

Challenges Facing Pakistan

Pakistan has been dealing with a severe energy crisis for a long time. This has caused many
industries to shut down, leading to unemployment, a declining standard of living, and a rise in
crime. Infrastructure and energy projects are expected to help open new industries and create
jobs, improving the economy.

Internal Challenges

Security Issues

1. Terrorism: The main challenge is internal security due to terrorism. The China-Pakistan
Economic Corridor (CPEC) runs through areas with high terrorist activity, especially near
Afghanistan. The instability in Afghanistan, worsened by the killing of Taliban leader
 Mullah Mansoor and the withdrawal of NATO forces, complicates efforts to secure the
area.
2. Baluchistan Insurgency: Baluchistan, a region with a long-running insurgency, poses a
significant challenge. The local population feels deprived and believes that only China
will benefit from CPEC. Resolving these security issues is crucial for the project's
success.
3. Infrastructure Deficiencies: The rugged terrain in Baluchistan and Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) requires significant infrastructure development, which needs a
stable and secure environment.
4. Militancy Threats: Several militant groups pose threats along the CPEC route, including
the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ), and the Balochistan
Liberation Front (BLF). These groups, sometimes supported by foreign intelligence
agencies, use attacks on Chinese interests to pressure the Pakistani government.
5. Afghanistan Relations: Tensions with Afghanistan, where militant groups like Al-Qaeda
and TTP operate, threaten the northern regions of Pakistan. Improved ties between
Islamabad and Kabul are necessary for better border security.

External Challenges

Geopolitical Issues

1. Indo-US Influence: The cooperation between India and the US, and growing ties
between India and Iran, pose challenges. This alliance aims to counter China's
influence, which affects the success of CPEC. Pakistan and China need to work together
to manage this threat.
2. International Proxy Wars: Regional conflicts involving countries like India, Afghanistan,
Iran, and UAE, along with major powers like the US and Russia, can hinder the progress
of CPEC. Historical conflicts between Pakistan and India further complicate this issue.
3. Hostile Afghanistan: Afghanistan's diverse ethnic groups and its government's hostility
towards Pakistan create additional hurdles. Accusations of Afghan interference in
Baluchistan's unrest highlight the need for diplomatic solutions.

Criticism of CPEC

Debt Concerns

1. Neo-Imperialism: Critics argue that CPEC could trap Pakistan in debt, making it overly
dependent on China. They claim that the terms of Chinese loans are unsustainable and
primarily benefit China.
2. Independent Power Producers (IPPs): Some believe that Chinese IPPs have
negotiated favorable terms, leading to increased debt for Pakistan. As of early 2024,
Pakistan owed significant amounts to these power producers.

Rebuttal: Addressing Debt Concerns

 1. Not a Debt Trap: The idea of CPEC as a debt trap is challenged by data from the State
Bank of Pakistan, showing that most of Pakistan's debt comes from multilateral
organizations like the IMF, not China. Additionally, China has a Debt Sustainability
Framework to address such concerns.
2. IPPs Predate CPEC: Independent Power Producers have been part of Pakistan's
energy landscape since the 1990s. The financial issues with IPPs are part of broader
governance problems, not a direct result of CPEC. The Pakistani government is taking
steps to pay off dues related to CPEC energy projects.

Conclusion

Despite significant internal and external challenges, including security threats and geopolitical
tensions, Pakistan and China are committed to making CPEC a success. Addressing these
issues and debunking misconceptions about debt are essential for the project's future.

CPEC as a game changer in South Asian region

The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a game changer for the South Asian region,
representing a comprehensive framework for regional development and cooperation. By
enhancing connectivity and fostering economic integration, CPEC has the potential to
significantly alter the economic and geopolitical landscape of South Asia. The corridor not only
aims to bolster Pakistan's economy through infrastructural development but also seeks to
integrate South Asia with Central Asia and the Middle East. This integration promises to bring
about a range of benefits, including economic prosperity, reduced dependence on Western
influence, and increased regional stability.

Providing a Framework for Regional Integration by

Connecting South Asian States with Central Asian and
Middle Eastern States through Infrastructural Projects of
CPEC
CPEC provides a robust framework for regional integration by linking South Asian states with
Central Asian and Middle Eastern states. The corridor encompasses a series of infrastructural
projects, including highways, railways, and ports, designed to facilitate seamless transportation
and communication across a vast region. This network promotes regional connectivity, enabling
South Asian countries to access markets in Central Asia and the Middle East. By fostering
greater economic interdependence, CPEC lays the groundwork for stronger regional
cooperation and integration, thus enhancing the overall development of the region.
Prospering Region Economically by Bringing Trade
Opportunities, Especially for Landlocked States, such as
Afghanistan and Central Asian States
CPEC is poised to significantly prosper the region economically by bringing new trade
opportunities, particularly for landlocked states such as Afghanistan and the Central Asian
countries. These states often face challenges in accessing global markets due to their lack of
direct sea routes. CPEC, with its network of transport infrastructure leading to Pakistan's
Gwadar Port, provides these countries with vital access to maritime trade routes. This enhanced
connectivity is expected to boost trade volumes, attract foreign investment, and stimulate
economic growth across the region, thus transforming the economic landscape of South Asia
and its neighboring regions.

Safeguarding the Region from Western Influence by

Empowering China's Influence in the Region
CPEC also serves as a strategic tool for safeguarding the region from Western influence by
bolstering China's presence and influence in South Asia. As China invests heavily in CPEC
projects, it strengthens its economic and political ties with the participating countries. This
growing influence of China acts as a counterbalance to Western powers, reducing their
dominance in the region's affairs. The increased Chinese presence promotes a multipolar world
order, where regional states can exercise greater autonomy and pursue their development
agendas without excessive reliance on Western nations.

Leading to Peace, Prosperity, and Stability in the Region

by Taking Regional States at the Common Grounds of
Economic Cooperation
CPEC contributes to peace, prosperity, and stability in the region by uniting regional states on
common grounds of economic cooperation. The economic interdependence fostered by CPEC
can act as a catalyst for peace, as countries with shared economic interests are less likely to
engage in conflicts. The collaborative projects and mutual benefits of economic development
create a conducive environment for resolving disputes through dialogue and cooperation.
Moreover, the prosperity brought about by CPEC initiatives can uplift the socio-economic
conditions of the region, thereby enhancing overall stability and reducing the likelihood of unrest
and instability.

In summary, CPEC is a game-changer for South Asia by providing a framework for regional
integration, fostering economic prosperity, reducing Western influence, and promoting peace
and stability. The corridor's multifaceted benefits make it a pivotal project for the future
development and cooperation of the South Asian region.