Pakistan-China Relationship: A Strategic Partnership That Withstands All Seasons

Pakistan was one of the first countries to recognize the People's Republic of China. Over time, this collaboration has developed into a long-lasting all-weather strategic cooperative partnership.

According to Al-jazeera media report, when a US delegate once expressed worries to a Chinese official about Beijing's steadfast support for Pakistan, the Chinese diplomat responded with a sarcastic comment that carried significant meaning: "To us, Pakistan is our Israel."

"Since 1951, Pakistan and China have developed a strong strategic partnership marked by trust, cooperation, and support on various regional and global issues. The signing of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in 2013 was a significant milestone, enhancing economic ties through substantial investments in key sectors. Their alliance extends to military, technology, and cultural exchanges, symbolizing a deep and enduring friendship," Muhammad Taimur Fahad Khan,a foreign policy & political analyst & a think tanker associated with the Institute of Strategic Studies in Islamabad, told Sputnik.

China's Crucial Role in Pakistan's Economic Stability Amid Financial Challenges

According to media report, in Feb 2024, China has extended a $2 billion loan to Pakistan as the country's cash-strapped economy grapples with stabilizing from a financial crisis. In addition, Pakistan secured a $3 billion standby arrangement from the International Monetary Fund last summer.

The vulnerable external position of Pakistan underscores the pressing need for the next government to secure financing from both multilateral and bilateral partners, as unveiled by ratings agency Fitch in a recent statement. However, in this meantime, China starts supporting Pakistan's economy to make it stable. In this regard, Sputnik interviewed some of the global economic and polics analysts.

"China has provided significant economic support to Pakistan in recent years, particularly amid financial challenges. The primary mechanism for this support has been through the CPEC. CPEC encompasses a wide range of infrastructure projects, including highways, railways, ports, energy pipelines, and special economic zones. These projects aim to modernize Pakistan's infrastructure, improve connectivity within the country, and enhance trade links with China and other countries in the region," Ahmad Naeem Salik, a global economic analyst, told Sputnik.

Similarly, " Muhammad Taimur Fahad Khan, a foreign policy expert, further shared, in this regard," In recent years, China has played a significant role in supporting Pakistan's economy through investments and loans linked to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. China's assistance also includes financial aid such as loans and currency swaps to stabilize Pakistan's foreign exchange reserves and the rupee, helping to prevent financial crises and ensure economic stability for both the short and long term."

Strategic Partnership

No one can deny the fact that the strategic partnership between China and Pakistan is primarily built on military cooperation, with the Pakistan-China Joint Military Cooperation Committee (PCJMCC) acting as the supreme authority for bilateral military collaboration.

"China and Pakistan have a longstanding strategic military cooperation focused on security, defense, and regional stability. The Pakistan-China Joint Military Cooperation Committee (PCJMCC) facilitates this cooperation through arms sales, joint exercises, training, and intelligence sharing. Established in the 1960s, the committee enhances high-level dialogue, military exchanges, joint training, and collaboration on defense technology," Ahmad Naeem Salik, analyst told Sputnik, that Both countries conduct joint military exercises to improve interoperability and address various security scenarios. Recent efforts include expanding defense cooperation, joint military production, and collaboration in cybersecurity and space technology to strengthen their defense capabilities and promote regional stability.

As per express tribune news, in June 2022, amid increasing hostilities between China and Western countries, a key group from the Pakistani military visited China. During this visit, both countries reiterated their dedication to strengthening military ties and strengthening their strategic alliance in response to a difficult global situation.

This massive military confrontation took place during a period when Pakistan was also under pressure from Western powers to adopt a strong position on the Ukraine conflict.

"This partnership includes significant defense equipment trade, with China supplying Pakistan with fighter jets, naval ships, and missile systems. A key highlight is the joint development of the JF-17 Thunder fighter jet, symbolizing deep military collaboration. Additionally, the two nations frequently conduct joint military exercises, enhancing their forces' interoperability. These initiatives not only bolster their defense capabilities but also underline their strategic alignment, aiming to secure regional stability and mutual security interests," Taimur Fahad Khan further expressed.

Joint Mega Projects: Belt & Road Initiative

In 2022, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, during his previous term, travelled to China to negotiate the revival of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) mega project. Throughout the journey, he conducted meetings with influential Chinese leaders and delegates, including President Xi Jinping, as per Geo News.

"Pakistan and China have deepened economic ties through projects like the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), and the primary mechanism for this support has been through the CPEC. CPEC encompasses a wide range of infrastructure projects, including highways, railways, ports, energy pipelines, and special economic zones. These projects aim to modernize Pakistan's infrastructure, improve connectivity within the country, and enhance trade links with China and other countries in the region. One of the most critical components of CPEC is the development of energy projects, including coal, hydroelectric, and renewable energy plant," Ahmad Naeem Salik, analyst shared.

According to the report from Express Tribune news, the visit had two main objectives: to revitalise the $62 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which is an important part of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and to increase the likelihood of expanding CPEC into Afghanistan.

"They support each other in international forums... Both countries collaborate in organizations like the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). Their relationship has evolved into a comprehensive strategic partnership, covering economic, military, and diplomatic cooperation, " A. Salik, the analyst told Sputnik.

All in all, one can observe that the relationship between the two nations has significantly strengthened in various areas, including defense, as strategic partners in both geostrategic and geo-economics contexts.

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