Latest news with #ChinaPakistanEconomicCorridor
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South China Morning Post
3 days ago
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Why is China speeding up work on Pakistan dam after India held Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance?
Read more here: Following a short military confrontation between Islamabad and New Delhi in early May 2025, Beijing announced it would speed up construction of a dam in northern Pakistan that is being built under the China-centred trading network called the Belt and Road Initiative. The announcement was likely made following the temporary suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty by India, which guarantees Pakistan a steady flow of water from Indian-administered Kashmir. The Mohmand dam is one of several Chinese-financed projects and part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.
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First Post
5 days ago
- Business
- First Post
Post Operation Sindoor, China struggling to regain reputation of its military products
While demand for Chinese military products will recede, those for Indian air defence systems and Brahmos missiles are on the rise read more (File) Operation Sindoor displayed on the screen during a press briefing by the Indian armed forces, in New Delhi on May 11, 2025. PTI The sudden visit to Beijing of Pakistan's deputy PM and foreign minister, Ishaq Dar, would not have been without reason. After all, China is Pakistan's largest creditor, apart from its own investments in the CPEC (China Pakistan Economic Corridor). As per the World Bank, Pakistan owes China $22 billion, which is 22 per cent of its total debt. It is surviving because the Chinese government continues rolling over the repayment. The day it stops, Pakistan will collapse. Hence, it is a Chinese vassal state which must dance to Beijing's tune. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Pakistan does not have resources to procure military equipment from the West; hence, it relies on Chinese and Turkish products, most of which are provided at huge discounts, making it the testing ground. For China, Pakistan is a proxy which it exploits to distract India from its Northern front. China has, in recent years, been projecting its military equipment, including aircraft, air defence systems as also artillery as amongst the best globally, though they remain poor copies of Russian products. A copy, no matter how close, can never be as good as the original. That was proved recently. China was irked with Pakistan on two factors which necessitated its summoning Dar. One was the total failure of its famed military products which it was attempting to sell to Africa and Asian nations. It was already facing criticism for its poor-quality fighter aircraft from Nigeria and Myanmar, which grounded their planes due to large scale technical malfunctions. Further, it was projecting these capabilities as a deterrent from any attack by the US in possible retaliation to its attempt to regain Taiwan. The second factor was Asim Munir approaching the US Secretary of State, Marc Rubio, for requesting India for a ceasefire rather than China as also subsequently doing his bidding by having their DGMO approach his Indian counterpart. This displayed that Rawalpindi believes Washington more dependable than Beijing or possibly that it considers failed Chinese equipment as the cause for collapse of its defences. The cold reception accorded to Ishaq Dar on his arrival in Beijing indicates that China is dissatisfied with Pakistan. He was received by a local official and made to travel in a mini-bus. Failure of Chinese military equipment will be blamed on poor Pakistan handling and not on quality. Inputs suggest that China may provide Pakistan with its latest jets at reduced rates, whether Islamabad desires it or not, considering its current experience on Chinese products. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Officially the Chinese have projected themselves as neutral in the conflict. Their foreign ministry statement read, 'India and Pakistan are and will always be each other's neighbours. They're both China's neighbours as well. China opposes all forms of terrorism. We urge both sides to act in the larger interest of peace and stability.' Their foreign minister Wang Yi also spoke to his Indian counterpart; however, it meant little. In reality, Pakistani terrorists would never have launched Pahalgam without Chinese concurrence. Islamabad knew Delhi would react violently and needed Chinese backing, which was provided by means of its military products and satellite inputs. China has repeatedly stated that it supports Pakistan in defending 'national sovereignty and territorial integrity.' Further, China would have hoped that any conflict would, apart from being a testing ground for its equipment, push its sales across the world. Chinese bloggers initially joined hands with Pakistan's DGISPR led disinformation network, pushing the Pakistani narrative of it not being involved in Pahalgam, as also success of Chinese military equipment in the short conflict. They claimed downing of multiple Indian aircraft, specifically mentioning the Rafale as it was China's main competitor in the global market. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Even today, two weeks after the ceasefire, Chinese social media influencers quote banned Chinese handles, masquerading as western, mentioning India's unwillingness to permit Dassault aviation to verify its aircraft losses. Similarly, China wanted to prove that the Brahmos missile, now being procured by nations in conflict with China in the SCS (South China Sea), including Philippines and Vietnam, could be easily intercepted and were nothing special. Initially the China-Pakistan narrative on downing of Indian aircraft including the Rafale was successful, however with no proof emerging nor discovery of a crash site, the narrative began collapsing. Pakistan's initial success in the narrative war could be attributed to its hard sell on social media and lack of counter by India. Air Marshal AK Bharati, the air force spokesperson gently mentioned that there are losses in conflict, however all pilots are safe. This was misconstrued to Indian acceptance of Pakistan's outrageous claims. Then came the Indian counter. It tore apart China's famed air defence systems by displaying proof of destruction of Pakistan's strategic assets, protected by Chinese air defence systems as also destruction of Chinese manufactured radar and missile sites. The fact that China's air defence system could not destroy a single Indian Brahmos missile added fuel to fire. While Bharati did not mention the quantum of Pak aircraft downed, he hinted at them. Anger in Beijing against Rawalpindi only grew. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A few Chinese missiles were also recovered intact. These will now be studied by Indian scientists as also of those of its allies. Its electronics and other gadgetry will open doors to Chinese technology. Adding to the pain was the complete failure of China's famed drones, as also those from Turkey, each of which was intercepted by India. Turkey was shocked to realise that its UAVs, which were successful in a zero air defence environment such as Syria, were a liability in modern warfare. It was worse when reports emerged that Turkey lost two of its UAV pilots operating alongside Pak forces, in an Indian strike. On realizing the reality of their failed equipment, Chinese bloggers switched sides blaming Pak forces for poor handling. What became a greater pain for China was that India employed its domestic products, like the Akashteer air defence system, anti-drone systems and Brahmos missiles to great success. The Akashteer also integrated multiple systems including the Russian S-400, refurbished L-70 and Zu 23 guns. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Pakistan was the proxy whom China exploited to prove to the world that its defence industry has come of age. It is also possible that China bribed the Pak army leadership to launch the Pahalgam strike, aware India will be compelled to respond and be given a bloody nose, benefitting both, Pakistan and China. In addition, it would impact the Quad and test US-India ties. However, all its plans backfired. While demand for Chinese products will recede, those for Indian air defence systems and Brahmos missiles are on the rise. Rafale shares, which had dropped due to Pakistan and China's fake narratives, have rebounded to their best levels. On the contrary, Chinese defence stocks dropped to their lowest levels. Once again, while China is compelled to lick its wounds, it would, as usual, throw Pakistan under the bus. The author is a former Indian Army officer, strategic analyst and columnist. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost's views. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Economic Times
25-05-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
Pakistan regards India as an existential threat: US defence intelligence annual report
Agencies Representational image The US defence department in its World Wide Threat Assessment report for 2025 has said that Pakistan sees India as an "existential threat," while India regards Pakistan as one of an "ancillary security problem."The US defence intelligence agency says that the Pakistani army will continue to pursue its military modernisation effort, "including the development of battlefield nuclear weapons"."Pakistan regards India as an existential threat and will continue to pursue its military modernisation effort, including the development of battlefield nuclear weapons, to offset India's conventional military advantage," the report metions."Pakistan is modernising its nuclear arsenal and maintaining the security of its nuclear materials and nuclear command and control. Pakistan almost certainly procures WMD applicable goods from foreign suppliers and intermediaries," it added. Further, the report says Pakistan's top priorities will likely remain cross-border skirmishes with regional neighbors. "During the next year, the Pakistani military's top priorities are likely to remain cross-border skirmishes with regional neighbors, rising attacks by Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan and Baloch nationalist militants, counterterrorism efforts, and nuclear modernization," the report said."Despite Pakistan's daily operations during the past year, militants killed more than 2,500 people in Pakistan in 2024," it addedUS also said that Pakistan is the "primary recipient" of China's economic and military generosity and foreign materials and technology supporting Pakistan's armed forces are very likely acquired primarily from suppliers in China"Pakistan primarily is a recipient of China's economic and military largesse, and Pakistani forces conduct multiple combined military exercises every year with China's PLA, including a new air exercise completed in November 2024," the report said."Foreign materials and technology supporting Pakistan's WMD programs are very likely acquired primarily from suppliers in China, and sometimes are transshipped through Hong Kong, Singapore, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates. However, terrorist attacks targeting Chinese workers who support China Pakistan Economic Corridor projects has emerged as a point of friction between the countries; seven Chinese nationals were killed in Pakistan in 2024," it added. The defence intelligence agency (DIA), which operates under the US Department of Defense, focuses on military intelligence. The report comes after 26 tourists were killed in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam in a terrorist attack last month. In retaliation, Indian Indian armed forces launched missile strikes targeting terrorism-linked infrastructure inside Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Both countries were engaged in multiple rounds of missile launches, drone operations, loitering munition attacks, and intense artillery shelling from May 7 to May 10.
Time of India
25-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
'Pakistan regards India as an existential threat': US intelligence report
NEW DELHI: The US defence department has said that Pakistan sees India as an "existential threat," while India regards Pakistan as one of an "ancillary security problem." In an annual assessment report on worldwide threat, US defence intelligence agency said that Pakistan army will continue to pursue its military modernisation effort, "including the development of battlefield nuclear weapons. "Pakistan regards India as an existential threat and will continue to pursue its military modernisation effort, including the development of battlefield nuclear weapons, to offset India's conventional military advantage," the report said. "Pakistan is modernising its nuclear arsenal and maintaining the security of its nuclear materials and nuclear command and control. Pakistan almost certainly procures WMD applicable goods from foreign suppliers and intermediaries," it added. Meanwhile, the report also said that Pakistan's top priorities will likely remain cross-border skirmishes with regional neighbors. "During the next year, the Pakistani military's top priorities are likely to remain cross-border skirmishes with regional neighbors, rising attacks by Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan and Baloch nationalist militants, counterterrorism efforts, and nuclear modernization," the report said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 3.5, 4.5 BHK Homes starting at ₹4.68 Cr.* Hero Homes Learn More Undo "Despite Pakistan's daily operations during the past year, militants killed more than 2,500 people in Pakistan in 2024," it added US also said that Pakistan is the "primary recipient" of China's economic and military generosity and foreign materials and technology supporting Pakistan's armed forces are very likely acquired primarily from suppliers in China "Pakistan primarily is a recipient of China's economic and military largesse, and Pakistani forces conduct multiple combined military exercises every year with China's PLA, including a new air exercise completed in November 2024," the report said. "Foreign materials and technology supporting Pakistan's WMD programs are very likely acquired primarily from suppliers in China, and sometimes are transshipped through Hong Kong, Singapore, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates. However, terrorist attacks targeting Chinese workers who support China Pakistan Economic Corridor projects has emerged as a point of friction between the countries; seven Chinese nationals were killed in Pakistan in 2024," it added. The defence intelligence agency (DIA), which operates under the US Department of Defense, focuses on military intelligence. This comes after 26 tourists were killed in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam in a terrorist attack. Following which Indian armed forces launched missile strikes targeting terrorism-linked infrastructure inside Pakistan, with both sides engaging in multiple rounds of missile launches, drone operations, loitering munition attacks, and intense artillery shelling from May 7 to May 10.
Business Recorder
24-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Steel in the soul of friendship
EDITORIAL: There are few bilateral relationships in the modern world as enduring — and as resolutely unflinching — as the one between Pakistan and China. As both nations celebrated the 74th anniversary of diplomatic ties this week, it was hard to miss the symbolism. This isn't just about polite protocol or ceremonial flags; this is about a friendship tested by history, tempered in crisis, and forged, to borrow the often used but never-exaggerated phrase, in iron. On 1st October 1949, Chairman Mao Zedong announced the founding of the People's Republic of China and Pakistan was among the first countries to recognise the People's Republic of China on January 1950. That decision, bold for its time and geopolitically astute, was the beginning of a relationship that would later come to define both countries' global postures. Diplomatic relations between the two countries established on 21st May 1951. In the Cold War's darkest hours, Pakistan played a central role in helping China break through its diplomatic isolation — most notably by arranging the historic visit of Henry Kissinger to Beijing in 1971, which paved the way for US-China rapprochement. That singular act showed Islamabad's ability to think beyond its own borders, positioning itself not only as China's friend, but as its connector to the world. Beijing has not forgotten. In the decades since, China has returned the favour many times over. From steady diplomatic backing at multilateral forums to long-term economic investment, the China-Pakistan relationship has moved from principle to practice, from symbolic solidarity to tangible gains. At every strategic inflection point — from Pakistan's nuclear tests to its evolving counterterrorism landscape — China has offered unwavering support. It's a record very few other countries, if any, can claim. The current phase of this friendship is no less consequential. If history built the foundation, it is the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) that has built the superstructure. Launched in 2015 under the umbrella of China's Belt and Road Initiative, CPEC is not merely a collection of roads, ports, and power plants — it is the architectural blueprint of Pakistan's future. From the blazing lights of Gwadar to the highways snaking through Balochistan, from Special Economic Zones to cutting-edge energy projects, CPEC is modern development with strategic purpose. It would be simplistic to call CPEC just an infrastructure programme. It is Pakistan's most comprehensive national transformation project in decades. The new Gwadar International Airport, the year-round opening of the Khunjerab Pass, the commitment to support livelihood projects and emerging sectors like mining and clean energy — this isn't about aid. It's about shared prosperity. And for once, it's being done without the conditionality and condescension that often accompany assistance from other quarters of the globe. China's support also extends beyond steel and concrete. In moments of military tension, especially during recent hostilities with India, Beijing stood firmly by Islamabad, reminding the region — and the world — that strategic partnerships are not only built in peace, but proven in crisis. At a time when many countries recalibrate friendships based on convenience or compliance, China's constancy deserves special note. There is, of course, work still to be done. The CPEC vision will only deliver fully if it is matched by local governance that ensures transparency, protects workers — especially Chinese engineers and technicians operating in restive areas — and maximises spillover benefits for Pakistan's broader economy. Security, especially in Balochistan, remains a concern. But those are challenges to be managed, not reasons to falter. What sets this friendship apart is its sincerity. There's little of the forced public affection that marks many other so-called alliances. China and Pakistan do not flatter each other with platitudes; they walk the walk—quietly, efficiently, often in defiance of shifting global winds. This week's cultural event, aptly themed 'Tea for Harmony,' captured the essence of the relationship. In a world increasingly defined by transactionalism and performative diplomacy, the Pakistan-China bond remains refreshingly free of drama and posturing. It is steady, purposeful, and deeply rooted. For a country like Pakistan, often navigating a volatile regional and global landscape, such reliability is not just comforting — it's strategic. Seventy-four years on, this is more than a friendship. It is an anchor. An iron-clad alliance not just of states, but of shared destinies. And in a world rusting with rivalries, that is worth celebrating. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
