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Pakistan and China are celebrating the 70th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral relations. Pakistan was also the first Muslim country to recognize China. Since 1951, both countries have established a close and mutually beneficial relationship which has solidified over the period of time.
During the 1960s, Pakistan was a steadfast ally of China during its days of international isolation. It played a vital role in opening up the Communist state to the West when Henry Kissinger undertook a secret mission to Beijing via Pakistan, paving the way for President Nixon’s historic visit which changed global dynamics. Pak-China relations blossomed during Bhutto’s era who brought the ‘Look East’ policy and declared relations as ‘higher than Himalayas and deeper than the Arabian Sea.”
China has long provided Pakistan with military, economic and technical assistance. It is no secret that China has a crucial role in developing Pakistan’s sensitive nuclear technology and equipment. Over the span of years, the ties have reached its peak when China unveiled the multi-billion CPEC project which can drastically transform Pakistan’s economy and build infrastructure.
It was long predicted that growing relations between India and United States will bring Pakistan even closer to China. Today, the US is striving against China’s domineering influence in the region and is itself threatened by its rapid growth. While the relationship between China and Pakistan is not quite balanced, it is critically important for Pakistan. Today, China is our biggest trading partner with trade volume reaching $15.6 billion in 2019. China has also come to our rescue on several occasions and is a “time-tested and all-weather friend”,
Pak-China relations have long played a key role in Asia’s geopolitics. It has provided a bulwark against India’s nefarious designs threatening regional instability. As the US influence wanes in the region, China has moved in to fill the gap particularly in Afghanistan. Despite being highly different cultures, ideology and religions, Pakistan and China have developed a dynamic relationship. As the global order changes, countries are eventually getting closer to China as it becomes an economic powerhouse. It is imperative that Pakistan should further solidify the relations and cooperation with the Chinese for its benefit.
