China Pakistan Relationship

Relationship between the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and People’s Republic of China (PRC) were established in 1950, when the Dominion of Pakistan was among the first countries to sever diplomatic relations with the Republic of Chinas (ROC) government in favour of recognizing the PRC as the legitimate “China”. Since then, relations between the two countries have been extremely cordial for the last few decades, which are influenced by their similar geopolitical and mutual interests. Although both countries have vast cultural and religious differences, they have developed a special partnership. Both countries have placed considerable importance on the maintenance of a special relationship between them, and their regular exchanges of high-level visits have culminated in the establishment of various cooperative measures. China has provided economic, technical, and military assistance to Pakistan; both sides regard each other as close strategic allies.

Bilateral relations

have evolved from China’s initial policy of neutrality to an extensive partnership driven primarily by Pakistan’s strategic importance. The two countries formally resolved all of their boundary disputes with the Sino-Pakistan Agreement of 1963, and Chinese military assistance to Pakistan began in 1966; a strategic alliance was formed in 1972, and economic cooperation had begun in earnest by 1979. Consequently, China has become Pakistan’s third-largest trading partner overall.  More recently, China has moved forward with an agreement to cooperate in improving the Pakistani civil nuclear power sector.

Pakistan Foreign Policy

Maintaining close relations with China is also a central part of Pakistan’s foreign policy. In 1986, Pakistani president Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq visited China to improve diplomatic relations, and Pakistan was one of only two countries – alongside Cuba to offer crucial support to China in the aftermath of the 1989 Tiananmen Square Protests.  On the military front, the People’s Liberation Army and the Pakistan Armed Forces share a notably close relationship; China has supported Pakistan’s position on the Kashmir issue, while Pakistan has supported China’s position on the Xinjiang controversy, the  Tibetan sovereignty debate, the Ladakh border dispute and the Political status of Taiwan. Military cooperation between the two sides has continued to increase significantly, with joint projects producing armaments ranging from fighter jets to guided missile frigates. Overwhelming majority of Pakistan’s arms imports are from China, and the country makes up the majority of China’s arms exports.

History

Pakistan has a long and strong relationship with China. The long-standing ties between the two countries have been mutually beneficial. A close identity of views and mutual interests remain the centre-point of bilateral ties. Since the 1962 Sino-Indian War, Pakistan has supported China on most issues of importance to the latter, especially those related to Taiwan, Xinjiang and Tibet and other sensitive issues such as human rights.

The Chinese leadership has acknowledged Pakistan’s steadfast support on key issues. Pakistan helped China in reestablishing formal ties with the West, where they helped make possible the 1972 Nixon visit to China Pakistan has collaborated with China in extensive military and economic projects, seeing both as counterweights to an Indian-Western alliance. Pakistan has also served as a conduit for China’s influence in the Muslim world.

China’s Involvement in Regional Issues

China also has a consistent record of supporting Pakistan in regional issues. Pakistan’s military depends heavily on Chinese armaments and joint projects of both economic and militaristic importance are ongoing. China has supplied blueprints to support Pakistan’s nuclear program.

Confident from his visit to Washington DC, Pakistani army chief Asim Munir would have thought of having a victory lap in Beijing. Instead, he received a dressing down from Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi over continuing attacks on Chinese nationals and businesses in Pakistan.

Security Concerns & Mutual Aid

(a)      Terror Attacks & Chinese Protection: With Chinese workers targeted in Karachi and elsewhere, China deployed private security personnel to safeguard BRI projects. Pakistani forces recently neutralized militants linked to the attacks.

(b)     Military Cooperation & Arms Supply: China now accounts for nearly 81% of Pakistan’s arms imports (2020–24). Islamabad is set to acquire advanced hardware from Beijing—including potentially J‑35 stealth jets—though officials deny immediate delivery.

(c)     Space Collaboration Milestone: China plans to send Pakistani astronauts to its Tiangong space station, and launched Pakistan’s first homegrown remote sensing satellite (PRSC‑EO1) in January 2025.

Baloch Liberation Army (BLA)

In recent years, armed groups in Pakistan, such as the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), have mounted several attacks on Chinese projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and Chinese nationals living in the country. China has repeatedly called Pakistan to rein in such groups, but the regime has failed to prevent such attacks — Pakistan has failed to prevent attacks against its own personnel as well.

Wang told Munir on Thursday that it is his hope that “the Pakistani military will continue to make all-out efforts to ensure the safety of Chinese personnel, projects and institutions in Pakistan”, according to a readout carried by state-owned Xinhua news agency.

Even as the two countries mentioned the usual cliches of being iron-clad brothers with an all-weather relationship, Wang’s tone in repeated statements made it clear that the Communist Party is not pleased with the state of affairs in Pakistan.

After all, the Gwadar port, described as the crown jewel of the CPEC, which itself is central to Xi Jinping’s brainchild Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), has failed to take off even after billions of dollars of investment over the past decade.

Economics & Financial Support

(a)       Loan Relief: China extended a $2 billion loan repayment by one year in March 2025, helping Pakistan manage its foreign reserves and fiscal stress.

(b)      National Development Plan Alignment: Pakistan’s Uraan economic blueprint (2024–29) aligns with Chinese investments in structural reform, digitalization, and social infrastructure under the umbrella of CPEC-related projects.

Conclusion

China and Pakistan continue to describe their bilateral partnership as an “all‑weather strategic cooperative relationship,” a pillar in both countries’ foreign policy frameworks. High-level diplomatic engagements and reaffirmed commitments during state visits in early 2025 reflect ongoing mutual support and resilience amid global and regional upheavals. China remains Pakistan’s largest arms supplier, accounting for around 81% of Pakistan’s arms imports between 2019–24. The two nations collaborate on military platforms like the JF‑17, K‑8, J‑10C jets, AEW&C systems, and Al‑Khalid tanks. Pakistan is anticipated to be the first buyer of China’s J‑35A stealth fighter.

Pakistan’s external debt to China is substantial—estimated at nearly $69 billion (about 22% of its external debt)—with CPEC-related liabilities undercutting fiscal flexibility. The second phase of CPEC remains largely aspirational, with many project deadlines unmet and some loans rescheduled to ease pressures.

 

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