Pakistan's Relation With China
Pakistan is no doubt a strategically located country at the mouth of the most frequented trade and oil route of Persian Gulf and opening to the Indian Ocean, surrounded by some of the front line and most talked about countries like China in the north, India in the east, Iran and Afghanistan in west and north-west. The sea and land component thus add to the importance of Pakistan not only in the region, but in international relations and trade as well. recently, Pakistan's role in the war against terror has brought it in the forefronts of world politics. Since its independence, however, its relations with its neighbours, specially India on the core issue of Jammu and Kashmir has brought Pakistan and India to war a number of times, while relations with Afghanistan always remain sore, because of Russian and Indian influence on Afghan foreign policy. Iran, though a Muslim country, also has lukewarm relations with Pakistan. This leaves China to be the only trusted ally of Pakistan in the region since its independence.The Foreign Policy of Pakistan strives for the promotion of peace and security at the regional and global levels. It also aims at accelerating the country's socio-economic progress. In keeping with its international obligations and in conformity with the United Nations Charter, Pakistan consistently seeks friendship and cooperation in its foreign relations on the basis of sovereign equality, mutual respect and benefit, non-interference and peaceful settlement of disputes.
Pakistan 's foreign policy is guided by its history, geographical location and the aspiration of its people. It is also responsive to regional and international imperatives. Given the persistent challenges, Pakistan has opted for a proactive foreign policy. While there are elements of continuity in the foreign policy, as they should be, there is also a change of emphasis and nuance. The essence of Pakistan's Foreign Policy are:-
- Develop friendly relations with all countries particularly the Muslim world, major powers and immediate neighbours;
- Safeguard vital security and geo-strategic interests of Pakistan ;
- Resolve the core issue of Jammu and Kashmir in accordance with the resolutions of the UN Security Council and wishes of the Kashmiri people;
- Promote the image of Pakistan as a strong, dynamic, progressive, moderate and democratic Islamic country;
- Augment economic and commercial interests abroad; and
- Protect the interests of Pakistan 's expatriate community abroad.
Ask anyone in the streets of Pakistan as to which country is Pakistan's best ally, and the unanimous answer would be in the favour of China. Pakistan was one of the first groups of countries that recognized China on May 21, 1951. Since then, China and Pakistan have witnessed smooth development of friendly and neighbourly relations as well as mutually beneficial cooperation. Although, initially the relations were not very warm due Pakistan's alienation towards West, it was during the Bandung Conference in 1955 that the prime ministers of both countries (Premier Zhou Enlai and Prime Minister M. Ali) decided to further strengthen their relations. In October 1956, at the invitation of the Chinese Government, Pakistani Prime Minister Suherwardi paid an official visit to China, reciprocated by China the same year when Premier Zhou Enlai visited Pakistan in December. This successful exchange of visits within one year greatly promoted the development of friendly relations and cooperation between the two countries and strengthened the friendship between the two peoples. In 1961, by voting for the bill concerning the restoration of China's legitimate rights in the UN put to the vote the UN General Assembly, the Pakistani Government took a step forward in the course of improving the Sino-Pakistani relations. In 1962, the two countries, through friendly talks, reached an agreement in principle on the position and alignment of Sino-Pakistani boundary. In March 1963, the two countries signed a boundary agreement on China's Xinjiang and the adjacent areas whose defence was under the actual control of Pakistan. In February 1964, Premier Zhou Enlai visited Pakistan. The hallmark visit of President Ayub Khan to China in December 1964 opened a new era of friendship and long term partnership between the two countries. President Ayub was so warmly received by the Chinese that people still remember that warmth even today. In March 1966, President Liu Shaoqi visited Pakistan.
These two visits paved way for an everlasting friendship between these two great countries, which remains as strong and time tested even today. China fully supported Pakistan against India on Kashmir issue and backed Pakistan morally, militarily and economically whenever Pakistan called for help. Pakistan also played an important part in breaking the thaw in Sino-US relations in 1971 when President Nixon went to China through Pakistan. Since 1990s, great changes have taken place in the international situation. Instead of being affected by the changing situation, the time-tested friendship and cooperation between China and Pakistan has further developed. China provided all manner of diplomatic and political support, including accepting Pakistan’s position of plebiscite over Kashmir. In April 1971 Zhou Enlai expressed steadfast commitment to Pakistan’s territorial integrity and expressed the view that the situation in East Pakistan was an internal matter for Pakistan. 2001 marked the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Sino-Pakistani diplomatic relations and colourful celebrations were held in the two countries.
These two visits paved way for an everlasting friendship between these two great countries, which remains as strong and time tested even today. China fully supported Pakistan against India on Kashmir issue and backed Pakistan morally, militarily and economically whenever Pakistan called for help. Pakistan also played an important part in breaking the thaw in Sino-US relations in 1971 when President Nixon went to China through Pakistan. Since 1990s, great changes have taken place in the international situation. Instead of being affected by the changing situation, the time-tested friendship and cooperation between China and Pakistan has further developed. China provided all manner of diplomatic and political support, including accepting Pakistan’s position of plebiscite over Kashmir. In April 1971 Zhou Enlai expressed steadfast commitment to Pakistan’s territorial integrity and expressed the view that the situation in East Pakistan was an internal matter for Pakistan. 2001 marked the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Sino-Pakistani diplomatic relations and colourful celebrations were held in the two countries.Since the early 1950, China and Pakistan have established trade relations. In January 1963, they signed their first trade agreement. In October 1982, China-Pakistan Joint Committee of Economy, Trade and Technology was set up. With the joint efforts from both sides, Sino-Pakistani economic and trade cooperation has seen good progress. Especially since the 1990s, their bilateral trade volume has witnessed relatively fast growth. In 2002 alone, Sino-Pakistani trade volume reached US$ 1.8 billion, a new record in terms of their trade relations. China is the major contributor of defence equipment to Pakistan. The recent joint venture of JF-17 Thunder multi-role jet aircraft has further cemented the ties between the two countries. Recently, the Chinese President paid a four days official visit to Pakistan (23-26 November 2006), in which China and Pakistan signed 18 MOUs/agreements, including a five-year pact of economic cooperation, agreement for free trade, provision of AWAC aircraft, sponsoring establishment of a complex which will manufacture defence related electronics. The Chinese president was accorded very warm welcome both at Islamabad and Lahore airports - which reflects strong friendly ties between the two great countries and the love that Pakistani people have for their Chinese brthern.
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