‘China's strategic red line: unwavering support for Pakistan'
Professor Gao's statements are matched by facts on the ground. Over 60 percent of Pakistan's current military arsenal originates from China. This includes: JF-17 Thunder fighter jets, co-developed with China, Yuan-class submarines, providing second-strike capabilities, HQ-series air defense systems, complementing Pakistani strategic depth and P-10 and P-15 cruise and ballistic missiles, enhancing Pakistan's tactical reach.
Recent reports indicate the arrival of Chinese Y-20 cargo aircraft in Pakistan, allegedly delivering defense equipment and signaling readiness for joint preparedness. This growing military interoperability indicates that the China-Pakistan military alliance is not theoretical—it is active and deepening.
Professor Gao underscored this in the clearest terms:
'You are talking about a war between Pakistan and India on the one hand, and then you are talking about an ironclad alliance between China and Pakistan, and China's full commitment to defend Pakistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity.'
Professor Gao's statements expand China's security perimeter beyond its own borders. By stating that China's alliance with Pakistan would activate against 'any country' threatening its integrity, he has laid out a doctrine that potentially covers US operations, Indian offensives, or multilateral actions that challenge Pakistan's territorial claims or strategic interests.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
4 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Imran's sons await visa approval, says Aleema Khan
Listen to article The sons of PTI founder Imran Khan, Sulaiman and Kasim, have applied for Pakistani visas at the High Commission in London and are currently awaiting approval from the Interior Ministry, said Aleema Khan, the former premier's sister, on Friday. In a statement shared on X, Aleema revealed that Sulaiman and Kasim had submitted their visa applications a few days ago. She said the High Commission had confirmed receipt of the applications and conveyed that their approval was pending with the Ministry of Interior. A few days ago Suleiman and Kasim applied for their visas with the Pakistan high commission in London. The ambassador has intimated that he is awaiting approval from the ministry of interior in Islamabad. — Aleema Khanum (@Aleema_KhanPK) August 1, 2025 Contrary to statements made by Aleema, sources in the Ministry of Interior have denied that any visa application from the sons of the PTI founder is under consideration. The sources told The Express Tribune that no such application is currently being processed at the Ministry of Interior. They clarified that the ministry does not issue family visas or any other types of visas, and that claims suggesting otherwise are inaccurate. Furthermore, they stated that visa matters of this nature fall solely under the jurisdiction of the Pakistan High Commission and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Also Read: Pakistan hit with 19pc tariff as Trump targets dozens of countries with new duties On Wednesday, Kasim Khan, in an interview with US media outlet Real America's Voice, said that his father was being held under 'inhumane' conditions in Adiala Jail, Rawalpindi. 'Right now he's in really, really poor conditions and it looks like they're getting worse by the moment,' Kasim said, adding that his father was being kept in solitary confinement. 'He's showering in muddy water. Ten people have reportedly died in those filthy conditions,' he claimed. The former prime minister has been incarcerated since August 2023. He is currently serving a sentence in the £190 million corruption case and also faces multiple cases, including those under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), stemming from the May 9, 2023 protests.
Business Recorder
5 hours ago
- Business Recorder
TSX falls after Trump increases tariff on Canada
Canada's main stock index slipped on Friday as investors assessed U.S. President Donald Trump's new tariff regime that included levies on Canada and dozens of other countries. The S&P/TSX composite index was down 1.4% at 27,878.91 points, posting its biggest percentage decline in nearly four months. The index is set to snap a two-week winning streak. Trump late on Thursday signed an executive order increasing tariffs on all Canadian goods not covered by the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement to 35% from 25%. He also imposed duties ranging from 10% to 41% on imports from countries including Brazil, India and Taiwan. 'President Trump has always been for negotiation…Canada will get a deal done but at what cost that's the question,' said Allan Small, senior investment advisor at Allan Small Financial Group with iA Private Wealth. 'The good news is most of the things that we send to the U.S. fall under the USMCA. But we're hearing that Trump wants to negotiate that agreement in 2026…that will be a much greater ramification.' Healthcare stocks fell 1.7%, tracking losses in U.S. and European peers after Trump sent letters to the leaders of 17 major pharmaceutical firms, outlining how they should cut U.S. prescription drug prices to match those paid overseas. Technology shares led the broader sectoral decline with a 3.3% fall, after tech giant Amazon's results disappointed investors. Energy stocks fell 2.6%, tracking lower oil prices. Among individual stocks, Imperial Oil posted a fall in second-quarter profit, sending its shares down 1.8%. NFI Group slipped 4.6% after the bus and coach manufacturer missed second-quarter revenue estimates. Data showed that U.S. job growth slowed more than expected in July, while the prior month's data was revised sharply lower, pointing to a steep moderation in the labor market. Meanwhile, Canada's manufacturing sector contracted for a sixth straight month in July, hit by tariffs.
Business Recorder
6 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Businessmen voice concerns over trade challenges at Iran, Afghanistan borders
ISLAMABAD: The representatives of Quetta Chamber of Commerce informed the Senate Standing Committee on Finance at length about the major challenges being faced by local businessmen in carrying out trade activities through the Pakistan-Iran and the Pakistan-Afghanistan border areas, a statement said. The businessmen also highlighted that despite importing hundreds of items from Iran, Pakistan exports only 10 items to the neighbouring country, exposing a stark imbalance in bilateral trade, the statement added. As per the details, Quetta chamber president Muhammad Ayub Mariani, senior vice president Haji Akhtar Kakar, vice president engineer Mir Wais Khan, and others stated that not only had they conveyed the obstacles in bilateral trade with Iran and Afghanistan to the higher authorities, but also held dialogues with Afghan and Iranian officials in that regard. Govt bars pilgrims from traveling to Iran, Iraq by road this Arbaeen The participants were informed that due to the requirement of the Electronic Import Form (EIF) form, bilateral trade had come to a halt, and Pakistani cargo trucks were being held in Iran unnecessarily for 15 to 20 days. Complaints were also made about the increase in attestation and visa fees. They also discussed the Joint Economic Forum and Joint Border Trade Committee with Iran, lamenting that the recommendations of the Economic Forum and Joint Border Committee had not been implemented by either country. The businessmen demanded the inclusion of officials from the federal ministries of Commerce and Finance, as well as the prime minister's representatives, in the merging of the Economic Forum and Joint Border Trade Committee, so that matters could reach a logical conclusion. They expressed reservations about the reopening and then closure of the Badini border, the reopening of Qamaruddin Karez border, inactivity of border markets, and other issues, and presented suggestions. The businessmen stated that if cold storage and LPG terminals and other issues at Chaman and Taftan borders were resolved, trade volume with neighboring countries could be significantly increased. On the occasion, committee chairman Saleem Mandviwalla said for the past six months, they had been receiving complaints in Islamabad regarding Pakistan-Iran and Pakistan-Afghanistan bilateral trade issues. Cross-border trade: FBR issues PSW (Evidence of Identity) Regulations Some issues would be resolved on the spot, while others would be conveyed to higher authorities, he added. Mandviwalla said mentioned that the Iranian Consul General had given them a list of issues, and Balochistan's business community also shared their problems. They would be presented to the Iranian president and the high-level delegation accompanying him, he added. Iran President Dr Masoud Pezeshkian is due to visit Pakistan on August 2 (Saturday) for a two-day trip.
