Pakistan has always had
exemplary relations with its neighbor China. This kind of outstanding closeness
has been possible only due to a long term and consistent goodwill that both
countries have extended towards each other. Pakistan’s disappointment from its
Western security, the end of Sino-Soviet rapprochement and the Sino-Indian
border war of 1962 which brought massive military aid of America to India, were
the factors that pushed China and Pakistan closer to each other in the 1960’s.
Despite being a US ally of three Western security arrangements, Pakistan never
got such magnitude of aid that was given to India which was around US$ 1,705
million. Furthermore, this was threatening Pakistan’s position and a fear was
being felt that India would use this aid against it which led to review its
foreign policy options.
Pakistan turned to China with whom relations had already been improving and
received a positive response. Through this strategic vision, Chinese friendship
became an essential and never changing pillar of Pakistan’s foreign policy. This
was the beginning of a new era in bilateral relations, which continued
uninterrupted in the subsequent decades.
In critical times, Pakistan has always proved to be a best friend such as in the
two Indo-Pak wars of 1965 and 1971 by playing an admirable role of an elder
brother. Military aid was extended and war losses were compensated to a
considerable degree. This gesture pointed that existence of a dynamic Pakistan
was vital for China’s security interests and territorial integrity in the South
Asian strategic scenario.
At a time when no other country was ready to intervene to stop the war, China
once again came to our rescue. It directly jumped in to support Pakistan issuing
an ultimatum to India for a ceasefire. China warned Indian Embassy in Beijing on
16 December 1965 to stop all military related exercises in adjacent area of
Chinese occupied Sikkim border and warned to open the second front in this area
and warned that in case of failure, India would be responsible itself for grave
consequences.
Responding to this friendly gesture, Pakistan played a significant role in
restoring Chinese status in the UN and became instrumental for Sino-US
rapprochement. Pakistan facilitated a trip of US envoy Hennery Kissinger,
American National Security adviser, to China. The sensational news of Hennery
Kissinger’s visit to China via Pakistan in July 1971 became a surprise for the
world and helped in breaking China’s isolation. Pakistan had worked as a bridge
between China and the US for diplomatic recognition and restoring its membership
in the UN. This interaction transformed the Chinese position of a regional actor
to a global one.
China used its first ever veto to hold Bangladesh’s application for membership
in the UN displaying its favour towards the territorial integrity of Pakistan.
After this, the friendship between the two countries moved to a comprehensive
strategic partnership for peace and development in the world and particularly in
the region. Since then, China has always carried the responsibility of following
an ‘all-weather friendship’ and has never betrayed us at any point.
After the cold war period, Pak-china relations became stronger as the Chinese
Prime Minister visited Pakistan in 1989 and promised to help for the
installation of a nuclear power plant. The regional strategic dynamics were
changing as the Soviet forces were being withdrawn after which the region was
became insignificant for the US and thus lost interest. Pakistan was no longer a
priority and it came under the US sanctions for its nuclear program. After
remaining under US sanctions for a protracted time period, Pakistan was finding
it difficult to maintain its military supplies. At this point China stepped
forward and help Pakistan re-establish itself. This irked the US that was
blaming China for backing Pakistan in the nuclear arsenal, however all such
claims were refuted by the Chinese.
China became the major source of modern weaponry for Pakistan and also very
significant for bringing forth trade and investment into the country. Since
1993, China’s nuclear co-operation has been working at Chashma and a
300-megawatt nuclear power plant was completed in 1999. It is the first example
outside the western world of exporting a power reactor to a developing.
China assisted Pakistan in building two defence-related mega projects, first was
the Heavy Industries Taxila and its part Heavy Rebuild Factory and second was
the F-6 Aircraft Rebuild Factory. The Chinese assisted Pakistan in its efforts
of becoming self-reliant in the production of a conventional weapons system as
China never attach any political strings to its aid, which continued without any
break. This further helped in deepening the ties between both countries.
Further, China and Pakistan have always enjoyed good military to military
relations by cooperation in defence production regarding aircrafts, fighter
bombs, tanks, and heavy artillery and by carrying out joint ventures in
exercises and training of soldiers.
Also, there are several Chinese-assisted mega infrastructure projects were
initiated that contributed in economic development and played a major role in
defence sector. These include the Gawadar port project in Which China is
assisting Pakistan. China has also supported us in developing infrastructure and
funded for linking Gwadar to other areas. China is displaying its might in
vicinity of the subcontinent with its strategic presence at the Gwadar Port
project.
Through this project, Beijing aims to have access to the Arabian Sea and the
Indian Ocean and would be in position to monitor American naval activity, joint
exercises of Indo-US navies and energy shipments from the Persian Gulf. It would
also provide an alternative passage to Central Asia for exports of energy
resources.
Also, the current government has embarked upon the same journey to further
deepen the relation by initiating more joint projects that aims to help in
economic activity in Pakistan. Discussions have begun and further plans are in
the pipeline waiting to be discussed. The current state of economy and political
instability calls for such ventures. This being the reason that Pakistan has
decided only to trust the trusted which, in this case is China. The China factor
lends supports to Pakistan in the contemporary global political and strategic
setup. showing the convergence of interests and strategic understanding that
surpasses the ideological disparities. The challenges faced by Pakistan in the
contemporary arena are the global war on terror and rise of India as a regional
hegemon, that damages internally while the other damages regional security. In
this backdrop, the China factor assumes an immense significance helping Pakistan
in these difficult times.
Sino-Pak all-weather friendship is based on unparallel trust, mutual
understanding and convergence of views on political, diplomatic, economic and
strategic levels. These sentiments are being shared by both sides irrespective
of any specific leadership or era. This relationship has become a long-term
strategic partnership aiming to promote, peace, stability and prosperity in the
region. In changing global scenario, both countries are making attempts to
address the challenges, which are destabilizing the region and threatening the
security.(Ends)