Pak-China Relations in 21st Century: BY Samina Hussain Islamabad

Abstract

The relations between Peoples Republic of China and Islamic Republic of Pakistan

are second to none. It is the most prominent and worthy relationship of the era due to their time tested and strong brotherhood friendship. Since the beginning of diplomatic relations their relations never faced serious troubled. Most important element in their bilateral relation is their ideological differences but two different ideologies never effected their relations. In the 21st Century their bilateral relations gained global attentions owing to Free Trade Agreements and CPEC. This work is based on secondary data and tries to explore all aspects of China-Pakistan relations.

Introduction

Islamic Republic of Pakistan has a long and cooperative relationship with

People’s Republic of China. A close attractiveness of perceptions and

common interests remain the sign of two-sided relations. Since the 1962

Sino-Indian War, Pakistan has upheld China on most issues of significance to

the last mentioned; particularly those identified with the topic of China’s

sway like Taiwan, Xinjiang, and Tibet and other delicate issues. Islamabad

helped Beijing in reestablishing formal relations with the West. The helped

make possible the 1972 Nixon visit to China. Pakistan has teamed up with

China in comprehensive military and financial ventures, considering China to

be a stabilizer to India and the United States. China additionally has a reliable

record of supporting Pakistan in all issues. Pakistan’s military needs hugely

Chinese warfare hardware, and joint tasks of both financial and combat areas.

China has provided hardware to help Pakistan’s nuclear program and she has

been also blamed for giving Nuclear Technology to Pakistan

The bilateral relations began in 1950 when Pakistan was among the

first countries to recognized PRC and break relations with the ROC

(Taiwan).The 1962 Sino-Indian War two countries have put significant

cooperation on the upkeep to a close and compassionate relationship. PRC

has given financial, military, and specified support to Pakistan both

consider a close strategic partner. Appeasing relations were established in

1950, military assistance started in 1960s, a strategic unification was formed

in 1972, and financial cooperation started in 1979. China is the Pakistan’s

largest arms supplier and third largest trading partner. Beijing also assisted

Islamabad nuclear program. The Pressler Amendment in 1990s suspended all

American military support and concerns that Pakistan was to build up a

nuclear weapon. Beijing has since 1990 blown out into military and financial

cooperation owing to of Pakistan’s opinion that America’s impact and support

in the area should be countered with Beijing help.

China has been a stable source of military hardware to the Pakistani

Army, establishing ammunition factories, giving mechanical assistance, and

modernizing existing facilities. Both are engaged with the joint wander of

several projects to upgrade military and weaponry systems, like JF-17

Thunder, K-8 Karakorum propel preparing air ship, space technology,

AWACS systems, Al-Khalid tanks and the Babur cruise missile. China is the

largest investor in the Gwadar Deep Sea Port.The port is strategically situated

at the mouth of the Strait of Hormuz. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor

(PEC) which is the key part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is

another major cooperation between two states. CPEC will connect Asia,

Africa and Europe. The initial cost of CPEC was $ 46 billion but later it

reached $62 billion and it will connect 67 states. Ideological difference between China and Pakistan.

The communism and Islam are two different ways and ideologies.

But there is one common thing which forced both states to cooperate that is

their national interest and the supreme national interest is to contain India by

all means.

Relationships in brought ways and try to explore the social and economic

cooperation between two states. They titled the relations reliable and time

tested relationship. History  explain that

since the formation of relationship China is the key element in Pakistan

foreign policy and policy makers always formulate friendly and cooperative

policy towards Beijing. Andrew Small (2015) in his study “The China- Pakistan Axis: Asia’s New Geopolitics” concluded that the cooperation of China with her best and reliable ally Pakistan is the real and time tested friend of China since China’s birth Islamabad supported PRC. He focused on China’s support to Pakistan in time the war of 1965, 1971 and 1999

with India. China uses Pakistan as regional balancer against India.Both states are cooperates each other to

fulfill their dreams and CPEC is one the most vital dream. In this work they

highlighted the pros and cons of CPEC to Pakistan. CPEC is one most prominent project of BRI. It will provide

doors for the land lock countries of Central Asia. It will also fulfill the energy

requirements of Pakistan.

Historical Background of Pak-China relations.

The Islamic Republic of Pakistan recognized the People’s Republic

of China (PRC) in 1950s and she became the first Muslim and third non

Communist State to recognized PRC as an independent State. The diplomatic

relations between Karachi and Peking was started in May 1951 (Khan R. M.,

2011). Since the formation of diplomatic relations both Islamabad and

Beijing were enjoyed all weather tested friendship and became the virtue of

best neighborhood relation in World. In historical context both states shared

very best cooperation so, the brief overview of the historical background

Pakistan and China are explore in following steps;

Recognition of China and dawn of diplomatic ties (1949-1960)

The People’s Republic of China (PRC) was established in 1949 under

the leadership of Mao Zedong while the Islamic Republic of Pakistan was

became independent state in 1947. Pakistan recognized PRC as an

independent state in 1950s instead of Taiwan. The diplomatic relations

between Beijing and Karachi were established in May 1951 (Khan R. M.,

2011). In the initial age of the establishment of diplomatic relations the trade relation buildup between Pakistan and China. Due to the issue of the

devaluation of currency trade relation between Pakistan and India suffered

hugely. Pakistan needed coal to run her industries and wanted to export

cotton and Jute but due to currency issue India refused to import Cotton and

Jute, at that crucial time China offer coal in exchange of Cotton and that was

called “Coal for Cotton barter deal”

Pakistan joined American security pact SEATO and CENTO initially

to counter external threat due to which the bilateral relations not gained

proper place. Later in the Bandung Conference of 1955 in Indonesia

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Mohammod Ali Bogra successfully convinced the

Chinese counterpart Chou En-Lai that Pakistan is not against China under

SEATO and CENTO. The Bandung Conference seeded the cooperation and mutual trust between Beijing and Karachi. In the mid of the 1950 Pakistani Prime Minister Suhrawardy visited China and he

openly explain that Pakistan joined Capitalist not means total ban on Pakistan

friendship with Communist states. Later in 1956 Chinese Primer Zhou Enlai

visited Karachi and meet with his counterpart. In that visit both leaders

agreed that the political difference between Pakistan and China should not

prevent to strengthening the friendship. In late 1950s the issue of Tibet raised

and PLA took strong action to crush the Tibetan people. Dale Lama the

spiritual leader of Tibet flees to India and in that issue Pakistan was not in

favored China (Grare, 2017). Crisis and Cooperation between Pakistan and China (1961-1970)

In the initial age of the era Ayub Khan introduced new policy and

wanted to have good and friendly relations with three big powers China,

Soviet Union and United States. While in the beginning of era the bilateral

relations faced some challenges and issues due to border issue between

Pakistan and China. The Sino-India war leads two countries more closely.

Pakistan condemned the act of India after the Indo-China war. Later this

issue was solved by border agreement in March, 1963. In 1963 China also

gave $50 million interest free economic support to strengthen Pakistan

economic bond. In this border agreement Pakistan gifted the area of 5180

square kilometers and gained the area of 1942 square kilometer from China.

Political Crisis in Pakistan and Pakistan Nuclear Explosion (1990-2000)

In the initial years of this era Pakistan faced a serious political crisis

but behind all issues and crisis the relations between People’s Republic of

China and Islamic Republic of Pakistan never concerned. But due to ups and

downs in Pakistan politics the relation not flourished as much as required

(Khan R. M., 2011). In this era all the West and pro-democratic States were

against China for the violation of human rights but time tested friendship and

cooperation between Pakistan and PRC were developed (Price, 2011). The

United States imposed sanctions on Pakistan due to her nuclear program but

China was the only state who supported Pakistan in mean times. China

provided all assistance and support to Pakistan regarding her nuclear program

as well as economic support. The People’s Republic of China also provide

assistant in the manufacturing of Pakistan missile technology in this era. The

Chinese President Jiang Zemin visited Pakistan in 1996 and met his

counterpart and other officials in Islamabad.

Pakistan tested her nuclear weapon in May 1998, in the response of

Indian nuclear explosion. China fully supported Pakistan nuclear program

and provided full assistance to become nuclear state. However, China not

vetoed against the resolution of UN Security Council 1172 (Rakisits, 2012). The resolution was basically condemning the nuclear test of India and

Pakistan. The second most important event of this era was the Kargil War

which was fought between Pakistan and India on Line of Control (LOC).

China forced both states to solve the issue by peaceful negotiation while she

remained neutral in this crisis (Rakisits, 2012). After the War the democratic

government was takeover by military General Pervez Musharraf while the

cooperation and friendly relations with China remain his first priority. After

the few month of Musharraf took office he visited China, meet with his

counterpart and assured for cooperation and friendly relations. Golden Age to Strengthen Economic, Military, Strategic Cooperation

and Bilateral Comradeship (2001-2008)

This era of the 21st Century become very fruitful age for Pak-China

relations in all fields prominently in defense, economic and strategic fields.

The military government under General Pervez Musharraf became more

cooperative than previous governments. He visited China several times to

China and Chinese officials also visited to Islamabad. The year 2001 was the

50th anniversary of Pakistan-China friendship and this year was celebrated

with great zeal and zest in both countries. The Chinese officials and

Pakistan’s officials visited to Beijing and Islamabad. One of the most

important initiative take by Musharraf was that he took over the operation of

Gwadar deep Sea Port to China. The Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji visited

Pakistan in May 2001. He urged the two sides to increase cooperation in

agriculture, infrastructure, information technology and other fields under the

principle of mutual benefit for achieving common goals (Fazal-ur-Rahman,

2002). During this visit Islamabad and Beijing signed 6 Agreements and 1

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The six agreements comprised on

Economic and Technical Cooperation, Tourism Cooperation, Lease

Agreement on Saindak Project, Supply of Trains engine, Supply of Passenger

Coaches to Pakistan Railways, White Oil Pipeline and MOU between

Pakistan Telecommunications and China’s ZTE.

In 2002, Chinese Premier Wu Bangguo visited Pakistan to attain the

ground breaking ceremony of Gwadar deep Sea port. China provided 80%

finance to the Gwadar project phase one. The total coast of the project was

about $248 million (Fani, 2009). In the fiscal year of 2002 bilateral trade

between Islamabad and Beijing reached at the level of $1.8 billion (Price,

2011). Furthermore in this particular Pakistan called foreign investors to

invest in the Saindak project. A Chinese company Metallurgical Corporation

of China (MCC) showed her interest in this project and signed deal for ten

year lease (Khan & Kasi, 2017). In 2003 Pakistan’s Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali

visited China and meet with his counterpart (Gilani, 2011). In that visit both

states agreed to develop bilateral trade and cooperation. In that particular year

President Musharraf also visited Beijing and met with his Chinese

counterpart (Gilani, 2011). In 2004 Pakistan and China conducted joint army

exercise in Xining province (Jetly, 2012). That exercise was basically for

counter terrorism and friendly exercise and named it as “Friendship 2004”

(Jetly, 2012, pp. 9-10). In 2005 China agreed to provide four Frigate ship to

Pakistan Navy (Jetly, 2012). The Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and

Good Neighborly Relations was also signed in 2005 (Rakisits, 2012). In the fiscal year of 2006, in November Chinese President visited

Islamabad and signed China-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement which was

come into force since July 2007 (Rakisits, 2012). The Chinese President also

invited 500 Youngsters from Pakistan to visit China (Gilani, 2011). China

also introduced Urdu department in Peking University (Gilani, 2011). In

Hu’s visit Pakistan and China both agreed to improve trade volume from $5.2

billion to $15 billion by 2010 (Rakisits, 2012). The second Anti-Terrorism

Military exercise was also took placed in 2006 (Jetly, 2012). In the year of

2007 China-Pakistan joint ventured multirole fighter air craft JF-17 Thunder

was publically rolled out and the first delivery was released. The first phase

of Gwadar deep Seaport was completed and inaugurated in 2007 with the

assistance of China (Jetly, 2012). The total coast of the first phase was about

$248 million while China provided 80% of the coast (Jetly, 2012). China also

provided $200 million for the construction of Coastal Highway connecting

Gwadar to Karachi (Jetly, 2012). In the era of President Pervez Musharraf

the bilateral relations become stronger and reliable as compared to previous

periods. Pakistan and China also signed extradition treaty in 2007 (Mazari,

2013). Pakistan Relations with China in Obama’s Era (2009-2016)

The relations between Islamic Republic of Pakistan and People’s

Republic of China in the era of 2009-2016 were more successful and it turned

into strongest relationship of the World. There is no permanent friend and

permanent enemy in international relations but the bilateral relations between

Pakistan and China is second to none (Kataria & Naveed, 2014). From the

beginning of relations their ties were strong and all weather tested friendship.

Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani expressed the Pakistan- China relations in these words that “Pak-China relations is sweeter than

honey, stronger then steel, higher then mountains and deeper then Ocean”

and in the words of Chinese former President Hu Jintao that “China can leave

gold but not friendship with Pakistan” (Jetly, 2012). The bilateral relations

between two states in Obama era (2009-2016) was consisted on two parts as

ruling parties in Pakistan, the first tenure was the Pakistan People’s Party

(PPP) government under President Asif Ali Zardari and the second tenure is

Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PMLN) government. But our focus is the

era of 2009 to 2016 and the bilateral relations of this tenure is enlighten in

following key notes.

Economic and Strategic Cooperation

In 2009 China became second largest trading partner of Pakistan and

is also the second great hope of Pakistan after United States (Riedel & Singh,

2010). China and Pakistan signed the first free trade agreement in 2006 and

the second free trade agreement in 2009 (Malik D. A., 2013). Pakistan is the

first South Asian state having free trade agreement with China. In 2013 the

operation of Gwadar deep Sea port was given to Chinese state run company

while before that port was operated by Singapore’s PSA international. In

May 2014, Islamabad and Beijing signed another most important project of

Metro Bus in Lahore and the Orange Line train project is also included

(Javaid & Javaid, 2016).

In April 2015, the Chinese President came into Pakistan and signed

51 MOUs and 11 projects in which China Pakistan Economic Corridor

(CPEC) is one the most important project (Ahmar, 2015). The CPEC is the

combination of different projects with the initially estimated cost of $46

launched a communication Satellite for Pakistan in August 2011 (Mazari,

2013). Pakistan and China are conducted joint military exercise every two

years since 2004 to counter terrorism. In 2011 China and Pakistan signed

three MOUs to strengthen military cooperation, communication and

intelligence sharing to counter terrorism (Mazari, 2013). Furthermore in that

particular year Pakistan tested short range surface to surface range missile

Hataf-II which was completed by Chinese cooperation (Rakisits, 2012). China was the only state that supported Pakistan after the Ben Laden

operation and taken supportive stance (Gilani, 2011). Islamabad and Beijing

are working on several projects to strengthen Pakistan’s defense capability. In

these projects K-8 Karakoram advance training aircraft, production of Al- Khalid tank, Babar cruise missile, airborne warning and control system and

JF-17 thunder. The JF-17 will minimize the Pakistan’s dependency on US F- 16 (Mazari, 2013). China also supported Pakistan to strengthen her naval

forces and she supplied four frigates to the Pakistan’s Navy. China also

upgraded the Karachi dockyard.

China has many concerns over Muslim Uighur populations in

Xinjiang province due to their strongest affiliation with terrorist organizations

such as East Turkmenistan Islamic Movement (ETIM). Since the incident of

9/11 Pakistan and China are sharing strategies to counter terrorism. In those

actions the joint military exercise of Pakistan and China since 2004 is more

prominent. China allowed any foreign army first time in 2004 to drill military

exercise since her birth (Khan R. A., 2012). China and Pakistan conducted

several military exercise since 2004 and the basic aim of the joint exercise is

to counter terrorism (Jetly, 2012). Energy and Infrastructure Cooperation

In 2009 Pakistan and China signed several MOUs but one of the most

important MOU regarding to energy that was the construction of Bunji Dam

in GilgitBaltistan. In that MOU both states are agreed to construct a Dam on

Bunji which can generate 7000 megawatt electricity (Dawn, 2009). In 2014

China approved a loan of $ 6.5 million for the construction of nuclear power

project at Karachi. In this project China National Nuclear Corporation

(CNNC) financed two reactors of 1100 megawatt each (Khan & Ahmad,

2015). This project can individually generate more power than the whole

projects functioning in Pakistan.

Another most important project for energy and infrastructure

cooperation is CPEC. The CPEC is the one major project of Chinese OBOR

policy (Abid & Ashfaq, 2015). Initially the cost of CPEC was estimated $ 46

billion and later it reached $ 52 billion (Memon). CPEC is the network of

roads, air ports, sea ports and railways line which connect the Gwadar Sea

port with Chinese city Kashgar via different routes. CPEC will provide way

for the landlocked Central Asian states and Afghanistan. It will connect

China with Middle East, Africa and other European states (Sial, 2014). Pakistan is facing the shortage of energy, due to this specially Pakistan

industrial sector and other all fields of life is disturb. The China Pakistan

Economic Corridor will resolve this issues.

China and Pakistan shared a friendly and eternity relations due to

whom they are introduced several cultural exchange programs. China and

Pakistan signed their first agreement on bilateral cultural exchange agreement

in 1965 and till now they signed more than 9 agreements and MOUs on

cultural exchange. Both states cultural delegations are performing different

cultural programs in both states. More than six thousands Pakistani students

are studying in China. In 2008 Pakistan and China

signed MOUs to established campuses of Pak-China University in both states

(Kataria & Naveed, 2014). In that year Pakistan culture and communication

center was established in China Tsinghua University China. Later in 2009

Pakistan study center was established in Fudan University. In 2010 the Pak- China Center Islamabad was inaugurated by Pakistani Prime Minister Yousaf

Raza Gilani and China’s Primer Wen Jiabao. In that ceremony Jiabao

announced that China would be providing contract treatment of 2000

Pakistanis free of charges every year (The Express Tribune, December 18,

2010). In 2011 Sindh government announced that Chinese language a

necessary subject in school level. China also introduced several scholarship

programs for Pakistani students and researcher. In 2013 the number of

students in China was approximately 8000 and the number of Chinese

technicians in Pakistan was about 15000. The

establishment of Pak-China Institute in Islamabad is another most important

trigger and more than 3000 student are learning Chinese language . Furthermore Government of Pakistan sent numbers of students to

China under cultural exchange program under the supervision of Higher

Education Commission Pakistan.

Conclusion

China-Pakistan relations were started in 1950s. Pakistan is the first

Muslim state who recognized People’s Republic of China. Since the

establishment of diplomatic relationship both states are enjoying all weather

tested friendship. Pakistan and China are cooperated with each other in all

joys and sorrows. China helped Pakistan in different wars with India like

1965, 1971 and 1999 war. Islamabad also supported Beijing in United

Nations and she also supported one China policy. China also helped Pakistan

to become nuclear power. China provides technological assistance and

technical support to Pakistan nuclear program. China moreover provided

missile technology to strengthen Pakistan defence and security. Pakistan and

China jointly launched different type of tactical weapon manufacturing

industries in Pakistan.

The Islamic Republic of Pakistan and People’s Republic of China

entered in a new era of brotherhood relationship in the initial age of the 21st century as this century is marked for regional integration. China and Pakistan

signed Free Trade Agreement and Islamabad became first South Asian State

that signed Free Trade Agreement with Beijing. Pakistan and China also

jointly launched several other projects regarding defence and security.

Pakistan also became the first country who jointly operates military drill with

People’s Liberation Army. Furthermore both countries are cooperating in

defence, strategic, economic, social, trade, energy, and health fields since the

beginning. The CPEC and JF-17 Thunder is one of the most prominent

symbols of friendship. Owing to the strategic and reliable relationship of

Islamabad and Beijing the US-India partnership grew up to counter Pak- China friendship. India and US signed nuclear deal with India although is

not member of any non-nuclear organization.

Samina Hussain Islamabad