68 years of China-Pakistan relations

By Zamir Ahmed Awan

China and Pakistan, not only share common borders, but also share mountains, rivers, and a common destiny. In the history of international affairs, China-Pakistan relations are considered a role model. Unlike the common perception in the western world, our relations are not interest led, but pure and based on trust, mutual respect, love, and affection. China and Pakistan are both eastern countries and share eastern values in common.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on April 28, 2019. [Photo: Xinhua]

China and Pakistan established formal diplomatic relations on 21 May 1951. But the first high-level delegation from the Government of Pakistan visited China on 4 January 1950, just 3 months after the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Pakistan was among the first few countries to recognize the Peoples Republic of China. However, the roots of our relationship can be traced to more than 2000 years ago, when ancient Chinese monks such as “Fa Xian” and “Xuan Zang” traveled to areas currently part of today’s Pakistan. In fact, a major strand of Buddhism originated in Pakistan.

China-Pakistan relations have been described as an “All-Weather Friendship,” as we have overcome many domestic and international hardships, but have always remained close friends. Pakistan was a close ally with the Western World during the Cold War Era and a signatory to many defense agreements with the West but still maintained a very close friendship with China. Pakistan has experienced much political change, such as civil and military rule, and various political parties in charge of the country with very different ideologies, but whoever was in power always kept close ties with China. Similarly, whoever held the leadership role in China, has always been a very close friend of Pakistan.

We are “time-tested friends”, as at all critical moments we have stood side by side, hand in hand, supporting each other. During a difficult time for China in the 1950’s when the West imposed an economic blockade, Pakistan continued to support China. China faced further economic challenges during the 1960s and 1970s, but Pakistan remained a close friend and supporter of China. Today, China has emerged as a global power and supports Pakistan on all critical issues.

In the recent meeting between Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan and China’s President Xi Jinping, during the recent Belt and Road Forum held in Beijing, an official statement was issued reaffirming the 'All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership' between Pakistan and China. The two leaders also exchanged views on a whole range of bilateral issues in a warm and cordial atmosphere. They affirmed the resolve to further strengthen their strategic cooperative partnership in all fields including political, security, economic and trade, and people-to-people exchanges.

Furthermore, “President Xi Jinping reiterated China's unwavering support for Pakistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity and appreciated the government's agenda for socio-economic development and people-centered progress. He affirmed that China-Pakistan ties would continue to acquire greater strength and deepen practical cooperation in the times to come”.

China-Pakistan relations have grown in all dimensions, whether political, diplomatic, defense, economic or through people to people contacts, and major achievements have been witnessed. Especially, since the launch of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the economic and social sector has seen visible progress. Pakistan strongly supports the BRI and major projects organized under its umbrella, such as the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The CPEC has been instrumental in the development of infrastructure in Pakistan. Pakistan was an electricity deficient country, but under the CPEC, several power projects have been completed and yet others are at the final stage of completion, narrowing the gap between the supply and demand of electricity in the country. Pakistan’s economy has shown 1 to 2 digit growth in GDP since the launch of CPEC.

Due to the new environment in the geopolitics of the region, China-Pakistan strategic relations have become more relevant and will further strengthen in the days to come. China-Pakistan relations are a guarantor of regional “peace, stability and prosperity”. The bond of “Pure-Friendship” between the two nations will further grow to new heights.

Note: Prof. Engr. Zamir Ahmed Awan, Sinologist (ex-Diplomat), Non-Resident Fellow of CCG (Center for China and Globalization), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan.