Executive Summary
Key Themes
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Exploring the China-Pakistan Relationship
Introduction
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Background: The Importance of the Historical
Relationship
China-Pakistan Relations: Long-Term Fundamental
Interests, Changing Circumstances
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Concerns over Soviet expansionism induced the United States to sign a Mutual Defense Agreement with
Pakistan in 1954. Pakistan was knitted further into a Western context in 1955, when it joined the South East
Asian Treaty Organization (SEATO) and the Baghdad Pact/Central Treaty Organization (CENTO). From
1953 to 1961, the United States provided Pakistan with $2 billion in assistance, including $508 million in
military aid. The Council on Foreign Relations provides an interactive timeline for U.S.-Pakistan relations
on its website at [Link]
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For instance, according to one roundtable participant, China has sought to de-link Pakistan from
Afghanistan issues, seeking to weed out the Afghanistan portions of “Af-Pak” proposals made by the
United States. Likewise, China appears only tangentially interested in pursuing multilateral efforts in
support of Pakistan. For example, while serving as a founding member in September 2008 of such a group,
the “Friends of Democratic Pakistan,” China is seen to have sent lower level representatives to ministerial
meetings than have other founding members. The September 2009 ministerial meeting in New York, for
instance, was chaired by President Barack Obama, Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari, and UK Prime
Minister Gordon Brown, and was attended by twelve other heads of government; China, however, was
represented by its then Ambassador to the United Nations, Ambassador Zhang Yesui, according to one
roundtable participant.
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Traditional Interests Still Guide Bilateral Relations
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Mutual Strategic Concerns About India
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Components of the territorial claims include Jammu and Kashmir, administered by India; Gilgit-Baltistan,
administered by Pakistan; and Aksai Chin, administered by China.
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A statement of official condolence to India was made at a press conference, by PRC Foreign Ministry
spokesman Qin Gang, November 28, 2008. See also D.S. Rajan, China’s Reaction to Mumbai Terror
Strikes: Pro-Pakistan Bias? South Asia Analysis Group, Paper No. 2972, December 8, 2008. (Rajan is the
Director of the Chennai Centre for Chinese Studies in Chennai, India.)
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Combating Terrorism and Ensuring Stability
Pakistan’s Focus
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Rajan, China’s Reaction.
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View attributed to Zhan Lue, scholar at the China Institute for International Strategic Studies, a PLA-
affiliated think-tank, in “Divide India, Chinese scholar says,” [Link].
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China’s Focus
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The ETIM has been labeled a terrorist group by both Beijing and Washington; the latter designated ETIM
a terrorist organization in 2002.
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The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) was founded in 2001 with China, Kazakhstan,
Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan as founding members. India, Iran, Mongolia, and Pakistan
have observer status. The U.S. has petitioned for observer status in the SCO but has been turned down.
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Reliance on Strong Military-to-Military Relations
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November 2000 – Al Khalid Main Battle Tank (240 in service as of May 2009, approx. 400
procured). Produced by Pakistan’s Heavy Industries Taxila in cooperation with China North
Industries Corporation (NORINCO).
April 2005 – Z-9EC helicopters (6). China’s Hafei Aviation Industry Company.10
April 2005 – F22-P frigates (4). The first three produced by Shanghai’s Hudong Zhonghua
Shipbuilding, the fourth by Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works.
March 2009 – JF-17 Thunder aircraft (42). The Pakistan Aeronautical Complex and
China’s China Aviation Technology Import-Export Corporation (CATIC).
November 2009 – CAC J-10 multirole fighter aircraft (36). Delivery expected to begin by
2012.
Source: Jane’s Defence Industry & Markets, online, March 26, 2010.
Uneven but Growing Economic Relations
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According to Jane’s, China is probably helping Pakistan produce other defense systems, including an
MLRS system, the Azar, which appears similar to China’s Type 81; the Anza MK-1 SAM, based on the
China Precision Machinery Import and Export Corporation [CPMIEC] HN-5 series; and the Anza MK2
SAM, based on the CPMIEC QW-1 Vanguard SAM. China also may have offered assistance in the
development of the Uqaab UAV built by the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, and Pakistan has worked
with China on developing its SD-10 Beyond-Visual-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (BVRAAMs). NORINCO
also reportedly has offered Pakistan the SH-1 self-propelled 155mm howitzer. Finally, Pakistan’s defense
minister reportedly informed parliament in January 2009 that the country had placed an order for the
Chinese ZDK-03 AWACS system.
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China’s Harbin Aircraft Industry (Group) Co. Ltd., called zhongguo gongye haerbin feiji gongye jituan
gongsi or in Chinese.
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New Developments Affecting Sino-Pakistan Relations
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Chinese companies involved in the Chashma nuclear power plant complex reportedly include China
National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC); Shanghai Nuclear Engineering Research and Design Institute
(SNERDI); and the East China Electric Power Design Institute (ECEPDI).
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Syed Fazl-e-Haider, “Pakistan asks U.S., China aid on energy,” Asia Times online, August 25, 2009.
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Growing Counter-terrorism Challenges
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Ziad Haider, The China Factor in Pakistan, FEER, Oct. 14, 2009.
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Increase in Real and Perceived Threats to Chinese Interests
Problems with Pakistan’s Civilian Government
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The estimate seems to be corroborated by other Pakistan-based anecdotal sources. See, for instance, Syed
Faizl-e-Haider, “Chinese shun Pakistan exodus,” Asia Times, September 11, 2009.
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The Red Mosque, or “Lal Masjid,” in Islamabad, was the site of a stand-off and eventual violent
confrontation in 2007 between the Musharraf government and the hard-line, anti-government religious
figures who controlled the mosque. Among numerous other actions, the mosque inhabitants had kidnapped
and held hostage Chinese women they claimed were working in adjacent brothels.
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Syed Fazl-e-Haider, “China calls halts to Gwadar refinery,” in Asia Times online, August 14, 2009.
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Growing U.S. Regional Role
The Limitations of the “Bilateral” Perspective
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President Zardari visited China in October 2008 and in February, April, and August 2009.
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“Quadrilateral” Dynamics: China, Pakistan, India, the United
States
The Afghanistan-Pakistan Dimension
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Central Asia and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)
Implications for U.S. Interests
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A survey conducted by the U.S. International Republican Institute and released on October 1, 2009,
provides an interesting view on the perception of China-U.S. activities in Pakistan. According to the poll,
9 percent of Pakistanis surveyed thought that Pakistan had good relations with China, compared to only
2 percent who thought that Pakistan had good relations with the United States. A far higher percentage –
87 percent – thought that Pakistan had good relations with Saudi Arabia. International Republic Institute,
IRI Index, Pakistan Public Opinion Survey, October 1, 2009.
[Link]
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