Q: How successful have the bilateral relations between Pakistan and China been
in the period of 1947-1999? Discuss in detail.
When Pakistan became an independent country, it paid less interest in what was
happening around its neighboring countries, including China, which was embroiled in
the midst of a civil war.
After the devastation of WWII was over in 1945, most countries were busy to get back
on the path of reconstruction but not the Chinese people, who had to bear the brunt of
another phase of war – this time between the communists and the capitalists who both
wanted to get hold of their country. With a victory for Mao Zedong-led communists,
People’s Republic of China came into existence. Pakistan was in a dilemma of having
an anti-US government in their north. Nonetheless, Pakistan recognized this communist
regime in January 1950, in spite of US concerns. India on the other hand not only
recognized the new government in Beijing but also supported the request of PRC taking
over the Chinese seat in the UN Security Council instead of the Republic of China
(Taiwan). Due to this positive attitude of India and Pakistan’s dependence on US, the
relations with China were destined to be lukewarm. China was naturally offended by
Pakistan’s signing of SEATO and CENTO that were purely anti-communist
organizations. Pakistan also condemned China over their dispute over Tibet in 1959,
merely voicing the US rhetoric at the cost of Chinese displeasure.
However by 1960’s, relations drastically improved between both the countries. In 1962,
India and China went on war at the Aksai Chin border in the Ladakh region in the
Himalayas. The US was quick to offer help to India as part of its anti-communist policy.
This offended Pakistan as they believed helping India could result in the balance of
power going in India’s favor. Pakistan supported China and the relations began to
flourish. In 1963, both the countries settled their own border disputes through the SinoPak Frontier Agreement. Under the agreement Pakistan ceded the Shaksgam valley to
PRC (China) to settle to border at the Karakoram watershed as per MacartneyMacDonald Line).
These were testing times in the political dynamics for China due to deteriorating
relations with India as well as USSR and an alliance with Pakistan could prove
worthwhile to counter India. The successful detonation of the atom bomb (Project 596)
in October 1964 was welcomed by Pakistan too. China loaned Pakistan with $60 million
(interest free) and soon became the biggest buyer of its cotton. They also agreed to
come to aid of each other in case of any attack by India.
In August 1963, PIA began regular flights to China increasing movement and trade with
them, thereby becoming the first international airline to conduct flights to many Chinese
cities. In 1964, China made a supportive statement about Pakistan’s policy over
Kashmir and Pakistan reiterated China’s entry to the UN. When Pakistan went on a war
with India in 1965, China supplied military aid to Pakistan and applied diplomatic
pressure on India to prevent it attacking Pakistan’s positions. The Chinese support
almost certainly Pakistan obtain better terms on ceasefire and the areas captured were
vacated by India.
The 1971 Indo-Pak War was a disaster for Pakistan on many fronts. It could not draw
the support of international community towards the Indian agenda of interfering in their
internal matter. China too, could not provide aid due to the diplomatic pressure applied
by USSR who warned them to remain neutral. Yet they waived off the debts given in
1965. It seemed that relations might not be the same, however, Bhutto didn’t let it
happen. His visit to Beijing and the subsequent visit of US President Nixon led to the
breaking of ice between the two atomic powers. It is said that Bhutto had played a major
role in the breakthrough of talks that eventually resulted in the PRC attaining the UN
Council of permanent members. China in response agreed to turn the loans into grants.
They supplied Pakistan with military aircraft and tanks. Moreover, the building of world’s
highest road network (Karakoram Highway) that started in 1966 was completed by
1978. Perhaps, the biggest gain for Pakistan was the Chinese assistance in the civil
nuclear energy program that began in late 1970’s. Pakistan felt prone to an Indian
offensive after the latter’s nuclear tests in 1974. By helping Pakistan, Beijing’s desire to
cultivate Pakistan as a strategic partner in South Asia as part of its regional balance of
power strategy vis-à-vis India. The relations further improved under Zia’s regime. In
1979, China helped Pakistan build the Heavy Mechanical Complex to fulfil its industrial
needs. China also helped Pakistan develop its nuclear technology, by assisting the
latter in construction of nuclear power plants. In September 1986, China and Pakistan
signed an agreement to facilitate the transfer of civil nuclear technology. Following this
deal, China agreed to supply Pakistan with its indigenously developed Qinshan – 1
nuclear power plant. Construction on Chashma Nuclear Power Plant -1 (CHASNUPP -1
or C-1) began in 1993.
In conclusion, the relations between both the countries have remained exemplary in
testing times. China has always been there to support Pakistan barring 1971. All this,
despite the fact that religious beliefs are contradictory but having a common enemy in
India. The relations have continued to prosper irrespective of the frequent change in
Pakistan’s political regime mainly because Pakistan place China as a priority in terms of
foreign relations and that has helped develop amicable ties.