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The Star
22-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
China and Pakistan reaffirm ironclad ties in FM Dar's first trip after conflict with India
BEIJING: Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar (pic right) met his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi (pic left) in Beijing on May 20 and the two men reaffirmed the ironclad friendship binding the two countries, following a four-day crossfire between India and Pakistan earlier in May. Dar is the first high-level Pakistani official to visit China after the India-Pakistan conflict drew international attention to the reported performance of Chinese fighter jets and missiles, one of the few times they have been tested in actual combat. Wang told Dar: 'As an ironclad friend, China will firmly support Pakistan in safeguarding its national sovereignty and territorial integrity.' In response, Dar said Pakistan hopes to 'continue to receive strong support from China in overcoming current difficulties' and in promoting national development, security and stability, said the Chinese Foreign Ministry in a statement on May 20, although arms sales were not specifically mentioned. The reaffirmation of ties was significant as, aside from Turkey and Azerbaijan, there was little support for Pakistan during the conflict with India. Islamabad will want to reaffirm Beijing's diplomatic and strategic backing, especially as Pakistan faces international scrutiny for its murky role in cross-border terrorist activity, said Dr Sajjan Gohel, international security director at the London-based Asia-Pacific Foundation think-tank. The reported good showing of Pakistan's China-made weaponry, however, would not necessarily lead to more bilateral arms sales, analysts said. China is Pakistan's main arms supplier. The majority of China's arms sales has gone to Pakistan in recent years, including J-10CE fighter jets, developed by Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group and first delivered to Pakistan in 2022. During the conflict, those fighter jets reportedly shot down the French-designed Rafale aircraft belonging to the Indian Air Force. New Delhi had declined to confirm the specific losses. This nevertheless triggered praise from Chinese state and social media in a supposed credibility boost for the Chinese defence industry, which still holds a small market share. China has accounted for about 6 per cent of global arms transfers in the past five years, behind the US, France and Russia. Professor Lin Minwang, who specialises in international relations and South Asia at Shanghai's Fudan University, said the performance of China's weapons would have boosted Pakistan's confidence in them, which is naturally good for future sales. Whether this would actually translate to more acquisitions depends on Pakistan's military plans and needs, said Prof Lin, who is deputy director at his university's Centre for South Asian Studies. He said the meeting between Wang and Dar not only served to calm regional tensions, but also allowed both sides to push forward with the upgraded China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, with economic development still the basis of bilateral cooperation. The corridor is a multibillion-dollar flagship infrastructure network project that links China's western Xinjiang region with the Pakistani port of Gwadar. On May 7, India carried out precision strikes on what it called terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, in response to an April 22 terror attack that killed 26 people. India blames Pakistan for the terror attack, but Islamabad has denied any involvement. Both sides reached an understanding on May 10 to end the conflict. Asia-Pacific Foundation's Dr Gohel believes Pakistan sought further upgrades from China to its air defence systems, radar integration and missile technology after India's strikes. Despite the framing of successes, Pakistan faced numerous setbacks, especially as its bases were repeatedly hit from India's stand-off capacity, he said. At the same time, the conflict had provided 'invaluable performance feedback (for Chinese weaponry) that no simulation or exercise can replicate', Dr Gohel said. He added that Pakistan's substantial military upgrades, if any, will be weighed against international optics, regional balance and China's own tensions with India. 'Any new systems offered are likely to be incremental or previously planned, avoiding moves that visibly escalate the situation,' he said. Dr Shounak Set, a research fellow with the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies' South Asia Programme, said the conflict had presented China with an opportunity to enhance the reputation of its defence industry. This was especially as persistent concerns over quality control and performance had previously affected its defence exports, he said, adding that these concerns have been informally acknowledged within Pakistan as well. 'However, the performance of the Chinese air defence systems, which struggled to prevent deep strikes and precision targeting, offers a more measured and sobering assessment of the overall operational effectiveness,' said Dr Set. As for the overall China-Pakistan relationship, he said it is anchored in historical ties and a shared interest in counterbalancing India. 'This episode, like previous instances, reinforces the durability and strategic orientation of that relationship,' Dr Set said. - The Straits Times/ANN
Straits Times
21-05-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
China, Pakistan say ties are ironclad as FM Ishaq Dar meets Wang Yi after deadly clash with India
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (left) met his Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar in Beijing on May 20. PHOTOS: EPA-EFE, AFP China and Pakistan reaffirm ironclad ties in FM Dar's first trip after conflict with India – Pakistan Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Beijing on May 20 and the two men reaffirmed the ironclad friendship binding the two countries following a four-day crossfire between India and Pakistan earlier in May. Mr Dar is the first high-level Pakistani official to visit China after the India-Pakistan conflict drew international attention to the reported performance of Chinese fighter jets and missiles, one of the few times they have been tested in actual combat. Mr Wang told Mr Dar: 'As an ironclad friend, China will firmly support Pakistan in safeguarding its national sovereignty and territorial integrity.' In response, Mr Dar said Pakistan hopes to 'continue to receive strong support from China in overcoming current difficulties', and in promoting national development, security and stability, said the Chinese foreign ministry in a statement on May 20, although arms sales was not specifically mentioned. The reaffirmation of ties was significant as, aside from Turkey and Azerbaijan, there was little support for Pakistan during the conflict with India. Islamabad will want to reaffirm China's diplomatic and strategic backing, especially as Pakistan faces international scrutiny for its murky role in cross-border terrorist activity, said Dr Sajjan Gohel, International Security Director at the London-based Asia-Pacific Foundation think-tank. The reported good showing of Pakistan's China-made weaponry, however, would not necessarily lead to more bilateral arms sales, analysts said. China is Pakistan's main arms supplier. The majority of China's arms sales have gone to Pakistan in recent years, including J-10CE fighter jets, developed by Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group and first delivered to Pakistan in 2022. During the conflict, those fighter jets reportedly shot down the French-designed Rafale aircraft belonging to the Indian air force. New Delhi had declined to confirm the specific losses. This, nevertheless, triggered praise from Chinese state and social media, in a supposed credibility boost for the Chinese defence industry, which still holds a small market share. China accounted for about 6 per cent of global arms transfers in the past five years, behind the United States, France and Russia. Professor Lin Minwang, who specialises in international relations and South Asia at Shanghai's Fudan University, said the performance of China's weapons would have boosted Pakistan's confidence in them, which is naturally good for future sales. Whether this would actually translate to more acquisitions depends on Pakistan's military plans and needs, said Prof Lin, who is deputy director at his university's Centre for South Asian Studies. He said the meeting between Mr Wang and Mr Dar served not only to calm regional tensions, but also allowed both sides to push forward with the upgraded China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, with economic development still the basis of bilateral cooperation. The corridor is a multi-billion dollar flagship infrastructure network project that links China's western Xinjiang region with the Pakistani port of Gwadar. On May 7, India carried out precision strikes on what it called terror ist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, in response to an April 22 terror attack that killed 26 people. India blames Pakistan for the terror attack, but Islamabad has denied any involvement. Both sides reached an understanding on May 10 to end the conflict. Dr Gohel believes Pakistan sought further upgrades from China to its air defence systems, radar integration, and missile technology after India's strikes. Despite the framing of successes, Pakistan faced numerous setbacks especially as its bases were repeatedly hit from India's stand-off capacity, he said. At the same time, the conflict had provided 'invaluable performance feedback (for Chinese weaponry) that no simulation or exercise can replicate', said Dr Gohel. He added that Pakistan's substantial military upgrades , if any, will be weighed against international optics, regional balance and China's own tensions with India. 'Any new systems offered are likely to be incremental or previously planned, avoiding moves that visibly escalate the situation,' Dr Gohel said. Dr Shounak Set, a research fellow with the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies' South Asia Programme, said the conflict had presented China with an opportunity to enhance the reputation of its defence industry. This was especially as persistent concerns over quality control and performance had previously affected its defence exports, he said, adding that these concerns have been informally acknowledged within Pakistan as well. 'However, the performance of the Chinese air defence systems, which struggled to prevent deep strikes and precision targeting, offers a more measured and sobering assessment of the overall operational effectiveness,' said Dr Set. As for the overall China-Pakistan relationship, he said it is anchored in historical ties and a shared interest in counterbalancing India. 'This episode, like previous instances, reinforces the durability and strategic orientation of that relationship,' Dr Set said. Lim Min Zhang is China correspondent at The Straits Times. He has an interest in Chinese politics, technology, defence and foreign policies. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
China is using Pakistan to test its military tech — and that should worry the West
China was likely watching the recent military clashes between Pakistan and India closely. China has provided Pakistan with weaponry, which it could see in action, military analysts said. This comes amid escalating tensions between China and India, two regional superpowers. China was likely watching the recent clashes between Pakistan and India with strong interest, hoping to gain valuable intelligence about the performance of its own weapons, according to military analysts. In clashes earlier this month, India reportedly deployed Israeli and Western-made weapons in strikes on militant groups and Pakistani air defenses, while Pakistan retaliated with Chinese-made jets and missiles. This provided a rare opportunity for China — which hasn't fought an open war for decades — to watch its military tech in action against Western hardware. "Pakistan now serves as a proxy platform for Chinese military tech," Sajjan M. Gohel, international security director at the Asia-Pacific Foundation in London, told BI. This enables Beijing to "test, refine, and demonstrate its systems without direct confrontation," he said. The military clashes last week between nuclear-armed Pakistan and India, longtime regional adversaries, were the most serious in decades. And they played out against the backdrop of deepening rivalry between China and India, two of Asia's most powerful economies. "It is inevitable that China is watching and learning from the India-Pakistan clashes, just as it has been from the Ukraine-Russia conflict," Gohel said. In recent years, China has escalated its support for Pakistan, strengthening economic ties and providing Pakistan with around 80% of its weapons and military technology, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. According to reports and officials, Pakistan likely deployed Chinese-made P-15 missiles and HQ-series air defence systems against India, in addition to the Chengdu J-10C 'Vigorous Dragon' fighter jets. Pakistan claimed it used J-10C jets to shoot down several Indian aircraft last week, including French-made Rafale jets. The claims have not been verified, but shares of Rafale manufacturer Dassault plunged as a result. Pakistan received its first batch of J-10C jets from China in 2022. The single-engine, multi-role aircraft is Beijing's answer to Western fighters such as the American F-16 and Sweden's Saab Gripen. It's an upgrade on the J-10, which debuted in the 2000s, and can carry a mix of precision-guided bombs, anti-ship missiles, and medium-range air-to-air weapons. The Pakistan-India conflict is one of the first times the Chinese jet has been used in live combat. The involvement of Chinese weaponry in the recent clashes is likely of concern to the West. Intelligence gleaned from the attacks could be used to tweak and adjust systems to make them more effective against their Western counterparts. China "is likely to watch the conflict closely," said Daniel Byman, director of the Warfare, Irregular Threats, and Terrorism Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. "It will see how its systems perform in real-world situations against an array of Indian systems," he said. "It will learn which countermeasures and tactics are more effective and ways to improve its systems." Analysts told Reuters last week that China was likely using its large network of spy satellites, spy boats, and regional military bases to monitor the conflict. In some areas, China's weapons seem to have outclassed those deployed by India. Pakistan claims to have shot down more than two dozen Indian drones, including Israeli-made HAROP long-range drones. India, meanwhile, claims to have taken down several Chinese-made P-15 guided missiles fired by Pakistan, suggesting some lessons that China could learn. Gohel said that China's strategy of brokering closer regional and global alliances through arms sales hinges on their performance in battlefield confrontations. "China will want to establish several issues," Gohel said. "Can its sensors and targeting systems match or counter Western stealth and jamming? Are its missile systems achieving desired range and accuracy? How do command, control, and data-link integration fare under pressure?" China has also long viewed Pakistan as a valuable buffer against India, with which it has clashed in recent years over their shared Himalayan border. And as US ties with India grow, China has stepped up its support for Pakistan. "The military relationship between China and Pakistan is not transactional. It is embedded in a strategic vision," said Gohel. Over the weekend, the Trump administration announced that it had brokered a cease-fire between India and Pakistan, though reports say that sporadic clashes have occurred since then. Even so, the strategic lessons learned from the conflict could have a longer-term impact on regional security, as China and India jostle for influence, and China competes with the West in terms of military strength and hardware. "What China learns in this conflict between India and Pakistan could feed directly into PLA training and modernization," said Gohel, referring to the Chinese People's Liberation Army, "especially with regard to India, which it views as a long-term strategic competitor." Read the original article on Business Insider
Business Insider
14-05-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
China is using Pakistan to test its military tech — and that should worry the West
China was likely watching the recent clashes between Pakistan and India with strong interest, hoping to gain valuable intelligence about the performance of its own weapons, according to military analysts. In clashes earlier this month, India reportedly deployed Israeli and Western-made weapons in strikes on militant groups and Pakistani air defenses, while Pakistan retaliated with Chinese-made jets and missiles. This provided a rare opportunity for China — which hasn't fought an open war for decades — to watch its military tech in action against Western hardware. "Pakistan now serves as a proxy platform for Chinese military tech," Sajjan M. Gohel, international security director at the Asia-Pacific Foundation in London, told BI. This enables Beijing to "test, refine, and demonstrate its systems without direct confrontation," he said. Chinese weapons in Pakistani hands The military clashes last week between nuclear-armed Pakistan and India, longtime regional adversaries, were the most serious in decades. And they played out against the backdrop of deepening rivalry between China and India, two of Asia's most powerful economies. "It is inevitable that China is watching and learning from the India-Pakistan clashes, just as it has been from the Ukraine-Russia conflict," Gohel said. In recent years, China has escalated its support for Pakistan, strengthening economic ties and providing Pakistan with around 80% of its weapons and military technology, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. According to reports and officials, Pakistan likely deployed Chinese-made P-15 missiles and HQ-series air defence systems against India, in addition to the Chengdu J-10C 'Vigorous Dragon' fighter jets. Pakistan claimed it used J-10C jets to shoot down several Indian aircraft last week, including French-made Rafale jets. The claims have not been verified, but shares of Rafale manufacturer Dassault plunged as a result. Pakistan received its first batch of J-10C jets from China in 2022. The single-engine, multi-role aircraft is Beijing's answer to Western fighters such as the American F-16 and Sweden's Saab Gripen. It's an upgrade on the J-10, which debuted in the 2000s, and can carry a mix of precision-guided bombs, anti-ship missiles, and medium-range air-to-air weapons. The Pakistan-India conflict is one of the first times the Chinese jet has been used in live combat. Watching others fight The involvement of Chinese weaponry in the recent clashes is likely of concern to the West. Intelligence gleaned from the attacks could be used to tweak and adjust systems to make them more effective against their Western counterparts. China "is likely to watch the conflict closely," said Daniel Byman, director of the Warfare, Irregular Threats, and Terrorism Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. "It will see how its systems perform in real-world situations against an array of Indian systems," he said. "It will learn which countermeasures and tactics are more effective and ways to improve its systems." Analysts told Reuters last week that China was likely using its large network of spy satellites, spy boats, and regional military bases to monitor the conflict. In some areas, China's weapons seem to have outclassed those deployed by India. Pakistan claims to have shot down more than two dozen Indian drones, including Israeli-made HAROP long-range drones. India, meanwhile, claims to have taken down several Chinese-made P-15 guided missiles fired by Pakistan, suggesting some lessons that China could learn. Global arms sales Gohel said that China's strategy of brokering closer regional and global alliances through arms sales hinges on their performance in battlefield confrontations. "China will want to establish several issues," Gohel said. "Can its sensors and targeting systems match or counter Western stealth and jamming? Are its missile systems achieving desired range and accuracy? How do command, control, and data-link integration fare under pressure?" China has also long viewed Pakistan as a valuable buffer against India, with which it has clashed in recent years over their shared Himalayan border. And as US ties with India grow, China has stepped up its support for Pakistan. "The military relationship between China and Pakistan is not transactional. It is embedded in a strategic vision," said Gohel. Cease-fire, but nothing solved Over the weekend, the Trump administration announced that it had brokered a cease-fire between India and Pakistan, though reports say that sporadic clashes have occurred since then. Even so, the strategic lessons learned from the conflict could have a longer-term impact on regional security, as China and India jostle for influence, and China competes with the West in terms of military strength and hardware. "What China learns in this conflict between India and Pakistan could feed directly into PLA training and modernization," said Gohel, referring to the Chinese People's Liberation Army, "especially with regard to India, which it views as a long-term strategic competitor."
