Sino-Pak Ties in a Changing World

Asad Ali

There can hardly be any bilateral ties in the contemporary world with as much trust, strategic convergence, and a firm relationship as exists between Pakistan and China. The two nations have developed a long-term relationship, which has not just survived the changes both regionally and globally, but has even grown in both level and range. The latter relationship, which is usually referred to as being ‘greater than the mountains, deeper than the oceans or sweeter than honey’, has come a long way since its diplomatic foundation into the most complete strategic partnership between the two countries in terms of defence cooperation, integration into the economy, and cultural identification.

China remains Pakistan’s most dependable defence ally, providing military equipment, training, and co-production of fighter jets.

Based on both Pakistan and China, there exists a strong strategic comprehension. Ever since diplomatic relations were established between the two nations in the early 1960s, a key pillar of the relationship has been defence cooperation. China has continued to be the most dependable defence ally of Pakistan over the decades by providing necessary military equipment and expertise, as well as training. This is not a one-sided cooperation where a country seeks to exploit the other party, but has rather been founded on the common security interests and convergence of the strategic interests, especially in light of changing regional threats and instability.

China has been very critical in boosting the local defence of Pakistan. Chinese assistance in this respect has ranged all the way to the co-production effort of JF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft to the transfer of technology on modern naval platforms, which has contributed immensely towards the strengthening of Pakistan to be able to sustain credible defence deterrence. The collaboration between the two armed forces is further boosted by joint military exercises and strategic dialogues, which reinforce the interoperability and institutional collaboration between the two armed forces. This is one of the reasons why this bilateral relationship is significant, as in times when the world is clouded with unpredictability in terms of global alliances, China has recorded consistency in terms of defence support, a testament to just how strategic this relationship is.

This uncompromising economic backing of China to Pakistan has come in handy, especially where Pakistan has encountered periods of economic pressure and foreign insecurities. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is one of the core projects of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and the economic rejuvenation plan in the region is a revolutionary roadmap of regional cooperation and cross-regional economic development. China has enabled Pakistan to overcome the traditional deficiencies in energy, transportation, and industrial development through its more than 60 billion dollars’ worth of investments in infrastructure.

CPEC’s $60 billion investments have revitalized Pakistan’s infrastructure, energy, and trade connectivity, boosting regional economic growth.

Besides boosting the economy of Pakistan, CPEC has also boosted its geopolitical importance as a trading route between the Arabian Sea and China. Building resilience in the economy – the development of Gwadar Port and modernisation of road and rail networks, as well as the creation of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) is an important part of the longer-term economic survival of Pakistan. In addition, Chinese reconstruction banks have been continuously loaning and swapping money to help Pakistan with its balance-of-payments needs, a position that portrays how interested Beijing is in Pakistan’s macroeconomic stability.

China needs Pakistan in a slowing world economic scene that keeps embracing a more protectionist and uncertain environment. It is not based on charity, but it is tied through a mutual gain where Pakistan acts as a strategic ally and China strengthens its standing as a global economic engine with a vested interest in contributing to the local growth and development.

Pakistan and China are also deeply intertwined in many aspects other than defence and economics, and the relationship between the two has since evolved into a cultural and social melting pot. Over the past few years, people-to-people connectivity has been seen as a key to long-term bilateral relationships with both countries. Cultural diplomacy, academic cooperation, and tourism have also helped to create mutual understanding and friendship between citizens of the two countries.

There has also been an evident increase in educational exchange programmes, with thousands of Pakistani students joining Chinese universities to undertake higher education. The Chinese language centers, including Confucius Institutes, have mushroomed in Pakistan and contributed to the elimination of the linguistic and cultural barriers. Equally, there is constant visitation of cultural and academic delegations between Pakistan and China to participate in the academic and artistic cooperation, thus enhancing a better understanding of one another in their heritage and identity.

People-to-people ties through education, cultural diplomacy, and tourism deepen mutual understanding and friendship between Pakistan and China.

Even in the digital era, the effect is happening in both social media and entertainment forms. Chinese people show interest in Chinese dramas, educational materials, and travel vlogs about Pakistan, whereas Pakistanis are also interested in Chinese innovation, lifestyle, and historical legacy. These are quiet but strong streams of cultural interactions. Hence, one element of the bilateral relationship is not only propagated by governments but also belongs to the people.

In a world system that is turning more multipolar and unpredictable, Sino-Pak ties are tied down to a common vision of peaceful co-existence in the region, mutual prosperity, and co-equal sovereignty. The extent of defence ties, the level of economic contact, and increasingly shared cultural knowledge all speak of a future in which the partnership will further be deepened both in terms of span and substance.

In a multipolar world, Sino-Pak cooperation is grounded in shared visions of peaceful coexistence, mutual prosperity, and sovereignty.

In order to maintain this pace, both nations need to invest more in institutional systems, expand the sphere of collaboration, and be flexible to address the new global challenges, which can be climate change, cybersecurity, or technological disruption. They say that the people of both Pakistan and China are of the greatest interest, and as such, it would be best to ensure that this alliance remains strong, more so because, in a sense, it would be important to see that this relationship is not only sustained but ever renewed to the posterity of future generations.

The writer holds MS degree from Quaid e Azam University Islamabad and can be reached at asadmalik2008@gmail.com