Pakistan–China Bilateral Relations

Pakistan–China Bilateral Relations

The bilateral relations between the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the People's Republic of China (PRC) were officially established in 1950, when Pakistan became one of the first countries to recognize the PRC over the Republic of China (Taiwan). Since then, the two nations have shared a close and strategic partnership driven by mutual geopolitical interests, despite cultural and religious differences.

Over the decades, China has provided economic, technical, and military assistance to Pakistan. Their relationship includes:

Military cooperation: China is Pakistan’s largest arms supplier and a major defense partner. They jointly produce weapons, including fighter jets and warships.
Economic collaboration: China is one of Pakistan’s largest trading partners and has invested heavily in infrastructure and energy, including civil nuclear cooperation.
Strategic support: Both countries support each other on key international issues—China supports Pakistan’s stance on Kashmir, while Pakistan backs China on Xinjiang, Tibet, Taiwan, and border issues with India.

This strong bond has earned the label of an “all-weather friendship.” Pakistan is considered China’s closest partner in the Muslim world, and played a role in facilitating the historic 1972 visit of U.S. President Richard Nixon to China.

Public opinion in both countries reflects this close relationship—with over 75% of Pakistanis viewing China positively and a large percentage of Chinese citizens expressing strong support for Pakistan.

Pakistan–China Relations: A Strong and Strategic Alliance

Pakistan and China share a long-standing, deep, and strategic partnership that has evolved over decades. Their relationship is rooted in mutual geopolitical interests and has remained strong despite cultural and ideological differences.

Political and Strategic Ties:

Since 1950, Pakistan was among the first countries to recognize the People's Republic of China.
Diplomatic relations were officially established in 1951.
Both countries have supported each other on critical and sensitive international issues. Pakistan backs China on Taiwan, Xinjiang, Tibet, and human rights, while China supports Pakistan on Kashmir and other regional concerns.
In 1972, Pakistan played a key role in re-establishing China’s relations with the West by facilitating U.S. President Nixon's visit to China.

Military Cooperation:

China is a major supplier of military equipment to Pakistan and supports its nuclear program.
Joint defense projects have included fighter jets, naval ships, and missile systems.
Pakistan serves as a strategic ally for China in balancing India's influence in South Asia.

Economic Partnership:

China has made significant investments in Pakistan, including infrastructure, energy, and nuclear energy.
The partnership has also grown under initiatives like the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a key component of China’s Belt and Road Initiative.

Historic and Cultural Connections:

Historical links trace back to ancient Silk Road ties and early Buddhist exchanges.
During World War II, Chinese Muslims sought support from South Asian leaders, including Jinnah and Gandhi, against Japanese propaganda.

All-Weather Friendship:

The term “all-weather friendship” symbolizes the enduring alliance, with frequent high-level visits, shared strategic goals, and deep public goodwill.
Pakistan named a major road in Islamabad after Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai in honor of the deep ties.

Present-Day Relations:

Despite Pakistan's past alignment with anti-communist blocs, it developed a trusted partnership with Communist China.
Today, both nations regard each other as indispensable allies on diplomatic, military, and economic fronts.
A shared concern over India has consistently been a driving factor behind their unity.

This partnership is considered one of the strongest bilateral relationships in Asia, often described as "iron brothers" by both governments.

Pakistan–U.S. to Pakistan–China: A Shift in Military and Foreign Relations

Early Dependence on the U.S.:

In the beginning, Pakistan relied heavily on American military aid and weapons, especially during the Soviet-Afghan War, when the U.S. secretly supported Islamic militants to fight Soviet forces.
The U.S., under President Nixon, backed Pakistan during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War.
However, after the Soviet Union collapsed, the U.S. started to move closer to India, which had earlier been aligned with the Soviets.

Break in U.S.-Pakistan Ties:

In 1990, the Pressler Amendment cut off all American military and economic aid to Pakistan due to fears that Pakistan was building nuclear weapons.
Many Pakistanis felt betrayed, especially because the U.S. had ignored India’s nuclear program but punished Pakistan.
This shift in U.S. policy led Pakistan to deepen its alliance with China, seeing China as a more trustworthy and stable partner.

Closer Pakistan–China Partnership (Post-9/11):

After the 9/11 attacks, Pakistan strengthened ties with China through military projects, joint ventures, and economic investments.
Many in Pakistan believe that the U.S. has abandoned Pakistan in favor of India, while China remains a loyal friend.

Formalizing the Relationship:

In 2005, both countries signed the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation, and Good Neighborly Relations, reinforcing the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, which promote mutual respect and non-interference.

Symbolic Gestures of Friendship:

In 2013, when Chinese Premier Li Keqiang visited Pakistan, his plane was escorted by six JF-17 Thunder jets, a fighter jet jointly developed by China and Pakistan.
In 2015, President Xi Jinping visited Pakistan—his first foreign visit of the year and the first by a top Chinese leader in 9 years.
- His plane was escorted by eight JF-17 jets.
- He was warmly welcomed with a 21-gun salute and a guard of honour.
- Xi described visiting Pakistan as like "visiting his brother’s home", reflecting the deep emotional and historical bond between the two nations.

Xi Jinping’s Remarks:

Xi recalled how, as a child, he heard stories about Pakistan’s hard work, friendship, and support for China—such as:
- Helping China reach the outside world by opening an air corridor.
- Supporting China’s membership in the United Nations.
These memories shaped his positive view of Pakistan and built his excitement for the visit.

Summary:
Pakistan’s relationship with the U.S. weakened after 1990 due to nuclear concerns and shifting alliances. In contrast, China has remained a consistent and supportive partner. Over time, Pakistan and China have built a strong strategic, military, and emotional bond, now often referred to as an “all-weather friendship.”