Arsalan Pervez
DEVELOPING AND MAINTAINING STRATEGIC RELATIONS BETWEEN PAKISTAN AND CHINA - ADVANTAGES AND IMPLICATIONS
INTRODUCTION
1. Sino-Pakistan relations stand out as one of the few enduring friendships that have withstood the pressures of time and shifting geo-strategic conditions. The defense and security dimensions of the Sino-Pak relationship have been based on shared strategic interests and geo-political goals. Various important political and geo-strategic issues have affected this relationship over the period of time, regional and international dimensions, in particular the relevance of India and the United States to Sino-Pak relations. The trajectory of Indo-US strategic ties and the downward spiraling of US-Pak relations which triggers its own logic on Sino-Pak security dynamics. It is evident that as long as India-Pakistan peace process remains grounded on the issue of terrorism and Kashmir, and Pakistan’s relations with US are a downward spiral, Pakistan would continue to view China as its most strategic ally in counterbalancing India, and to some extent the US. China will also have an inherent stake in shoring Pakistan’s political and military stability in terms of its long-term security interests in the South, Central and Western Asian region, and checking the rising presence and power profile of the US. Withstanding all strains and pressures in the relationship, Sino-Pak friendship will endure in the foreseeable future.
2. As staunch allies and strategic partners for the past few decades, China and Pakistan have shared a friendship which has proved of great value in furtherance of their geo-political and strategic objectives. Their strong convergence in security interests has led to a multi-faceted strategic relationship which is reflected in a strong show of support for each other’s positions across a wide spectrum of bilateral, regional and international issues. In 2011, they commemorated 60 years of diplomatic ties, which was also designated as the
INTRODUCTION
1. Sino-Pakistan relations stand out as one of the few enduring friendships that have withstood the pressures of time and shifting geo-strategic conditions. The defense and security dimensions of the Sino-Pak relationship have been based on shared strategic interests and geo-political goals. Various important political and geo-strategic issues have affected this relationship over the period of time, regional and international dimensions, in particular the relevance of India and the United States to Sino-Pak relations. The trajectory of Indo-US strategic ties and the downward spiraling of US-Pak relations which triggers its own logic on Sino-Pak security dynamics. It is evident that as long as India-Pakistan peace process remains grounded on the issue of terrorism and Kashmir, and Pakistan’s relations with US are a downward spiral, Pakistan would continue to view China as its most strategic ally in counterbalancing India, and to some extent the US. China will also have an inherent stake in shoring Pakistan’s political and military stability in terms of its long-term security interests in the South, Central and Western Asian region, and checking the rising presence and power profile of the US. Withstanding all strains and pressures in the relationship, Sino-Pak friendship will endure in the foreseeable future.
2. As staunch allies and strategic partners for the past few decades, China and Pakistan have shared a friendship which has proved of great value in furtherance of their geo-political and strategic objectives. Their strong convergence in security interests has led to a multi-faceted strategic relationship which is reflected in a strong show of support for each other’s positions across a wide spectrum of bilateral, regional and international issues. In 2011, they commemorated 60 years of diplomatic ties, which was also designated as the