Pakistan is currently facing a multifaceted crisis involving economic instability, political conflict, and deteriorating security. The country has sought assistance from various sources, including “friendly countries” and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to address these challenges. While Pakistan did secure initial approval for a $3 billion loan program from the IMF, international assistance has been less forthcoming this time. China, despite being Pakistan’s largest creditor and a key player in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), has shown ambivalence and a “wait and watch” approach to Pakistan’s situation. This is in contrast to the rhetoric of a strong friendship between China and Pakistan.
The brief aims to examine the current dynamics of China-Pakistan relations by analyzing Chinese-language media, discussions on the Chinese internet, and writings by Chinese academics and scholars.
The background of China-Pakistan relations is discussed, highlighting their diplomatic ties since 1951 and their closer relationship after the 1962 India-China border war. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has been a significant factor in strengthening their ties, with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang proposing the CPEC plan in 2013. The CPEC is a 3000-km infrastructure project connecting China’s Xinjiang province to Gwadar Port in Pakistan and plays a central role in China’s relations with Pakistan. The detailed article by Antara Ghosal Singh (Observer Research Foundation, New Delhi) can be accessed on:
https://www.orfonline.org/research/chinas-perspective-on-ties-with-pakistan-and-the-cpecs-prospects/
