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Mediation

China's Strong Backing for Pakistan Amid Ongoing Tensions with India

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

China has reaffirmed its unwavering support for Pakistan during a tumultuous period in the region, with Chinese officials pledging to stand by Islamabad. This comes after a US-mediated ceasefire brokered by President Donald Trump helped to ease tensions between India and Pakistan, both nuclear powers. The relationship between China and Pakistan is deep-seated, with China supplying almost half of Pakistan's imported weapons between 2017 and 2021, including modern J-10C fighter jets and PL-15 long-range missiles.

Key Takeaways:

  • China has restated its strong backing for Pakistan, with Chinese officials telling Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar that China "stands firmly" by Islamabad.
  • China has supplied nearly half of Pakistan's imported weapons between 2017 and 2021, including J-10C fighter jets and PL-15 long-range missiles.
  • The US-mediated ceasefire brokered by President Donald Trump helped to ease tensions between India and Pakistan, with both sides agreeing to a full and immediate ceasefire.
  • China's military and intelligence links with Pakistan include weapons supplies and possible Chinese military bases in Pakistan.
  • Chinese officials, including Foreign Minister Wang Yi, have pressed for a quick end to hostilities and encouraged both countries to settle their disputes through discussion.
  • The relationship between China and Pakistan is deep-seated, with China investing heavily in projects like the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and reportedly looking at military facilities in Pakistan.
  • China's intelligence activities have grown, with Chinese fishing boats believed to be used for surveillance seen near Indian Navy exercises in the Arabian Sea.

Statistics:

  • China supplied almost half of Pakistan's imported weapons between 2017 and 2021.
  • The US-mediated ceasefire was announced on 10 May 2025.
  • The ceasefire was brokered by President Donald Trump, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Vice President JD Vance, who spoke with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to finalize the deal.
  • India blamed Pakistan for a militant attack in Indian-controlled Kashmir that killed 26 tourists, sparking four days of heavy fighting.
  • India hit Pakistani military positions, while Pakistan targeted Indian infrastructure under "Operation Iron Wall".
  • The risk of nuclear escalation led to Trump's intervention, with the US seeking to balance China's influence in the region.

Sources:

  • Chinese officials told Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar that China "stands firmly" by Islamabad.
  • Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke with Ishaq Dar by phone, calling China Pakistan's "ironclad friend."
  • Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said Dar thanked China for its help and wanted to keep working closely with Beijing.
  • Sajjan Gohel from the Asia-Pacific Foundation said "Any India-Pakistan clash doubles as a trial for Chinese weapons."
  • US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance spoke with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to finalize the ceasefire deal.
  • James Char, a security expert from Singapore's S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, said "China wants to keep India preoccupied with regional disputes and slow its rise on the world stage."

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