Relationships Between China and Pakistan

In 1950, when no country was ready to support China, Pakistan was amongst the only countries to recognize the People's Republic of China as an independent sovereign state. Since then, we have had a really close relationship.

Pakistan and China have been friends for quite a long time now, and now they are taking it to another level. They support each other through their thick and thin. In March 2018, I visited the northern areas of Pakistan, where I also visited the Khunjerab Pass (most commonly referred to as Pak-China border). Stepping for the very first time in that place made me realize how close we are, and just a simple border is what separates us. I sat there with my friend for quite a long time deeply lost in my own thoughts. Simple yet flustering thoughts took over me. This visit had convinced me to make up my mind to visit China now. I wanted to stay there for a little more while, but since my group was leaving, therefore, I had to. At University, I had been learning Chinese for one semester now but I didn't realize its importance until this tour. I had learned quite a few of it but still, I did not have the fluency. After this tour, and after my semester break ended, I went to University, we were made to switch to HSK 2 since we had cleared HSK 1. But this time, it was not just a course for me but a language, a desire to go to China and its language being the most important part, therefore, I became really keen and enthusiastic in learning because I really wanted to visit China and meet Chinese people and know their point of views. I wanted to know whether we share the same views or not and in their own language, and that was only possible, if I knew Chinese that properly. My university had an exchange program to China in June, I went in for its interview but since I didn't have my Passport and couldn't even produce it within the required time because I did not have my CNIC which was another main requirement for the passport, I wasn't selected. I cried a lot, my parents did not let me lose hope, they said, I'll get more chances, but I really wanted to take that chance.

But luckily, my best friend got selected and she went in for this 14 days tour, I was really happy because now she could answer my questions, she is the one who I can rely on with everything. Of course, some questions remained a mystery because not everything could be discussed but I was really glad that I'll get answers for 80% of my questions.

In those 14 days, I'd have face time with her every day, in fact thrice or more times a day, whenever she'd go to the streets, she'd show me how China looked. Hundreds of times I asked her to stop a stranger and talk and she'd do that and to our surprise, the people there are so nice that they would talk so happily. Sometimes she'd ask what they feel about Pak-China friendship and surprisingly they would always answer the question in the way we do. The traditional food, culture and everything looked so different from Pakistan yet we are able to maintain such healthy relations were quite a surprise for us. "It's not necessarily important that friends are from your caste or color, friends are family with different blood", this is what we realized after seeing this strong bond between the two countries.

The CPEC is another main accomplishment of these two countries, trade has become much easier. This special relationship between Pakistan and China has considerable importance as we have signed a lot of agreements as well. We owe a debt of thanks to China for aiding us with the military as well as technical support, we have also not left its side in their difficult times but whatever they have done and are doing is no less. Pakistan has been through a lot of crises and difficulties, at the time of its independence, India stopped its aid and at that time only China was the only country which supported Pakistan. It’s clearly said, "You get to know who your true friends are, in your darkest times" and China proved this and so did Pakistan. We are a friendly nation, we try to maintain strong relations with everyone.

Our foreign policy is to maintain peace and to maintain close and friendly relations with China is also a part of our Foreign policy. Our relations are not only of support but also we are closely related to each other militarily. China supports us in the Kashmir issue as well and all these good doings of China cannot be ignored.

The Gwadar port is another milestone between Pakistan and China, it's a trade route and a free trade agreement. Both the countries are really sincere with each other and this doesn't need any proves because it can clearly be seen.

Economically, we are China's number 1 support. The CPEC (China Pakistan Economic Corridor) is a living example of this. China has promised us to invest in our economy and infrastructure and in return, we'll be doing whatever we can. Here in Pakistan, students are made to learn Chinese now because we want to strengthen our relations and more Chinese institutes and offices are built in coordination with China. In the near future, we'll be working together in every field and will bring peace together on our mother earth.

The long-standing ties between the two countries are of great benefit. A close relation of mutual interest and views remains the center of bilateral ties between the two. In the Sino-Indian War, Pakistan supported China in every possible way after which nobody could question the sovereignty of China. The Chinese leadership, themselves have acknowledged our support and friendliness. We hope that in the future, we'll have a stronger bond than ever before.