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Friday March 29, 2024

Our permanent friend

By Malik Muhammad Ashraf
May 26, 2016

No relationship between two sovereign states is as unique and durable as that between Pakistan and China. The partnership between the two countries started with the establishment of diplomatic ties between them on May 21, 1951. It has always remained on the upward curve, belying the maxim that in international relations there are no permanent friends and enemies.

Commonality of interests invariably forms the basis of bonhomie between the states. And the greater the commonality of interests, the greater are the depth and strength of relations between concerned states. Pakistan and China fortunately have a slew of abiding common interests and factors that nourish the ties between them. Their geographical proximity, complimentary economies that provide unlimited scope of economic cooperation to their mutual advantage and common security concerns are the deciding factors in sustaining and reinforcing their resolve to stay on course.

The security threat emanating from India has been a major concern for both countries. China’s border dispute with India which erupted into a war between the two countries in 1962, and our Indo-Pak war of 1965 testify to the existence of this common threat and the need for strong defence ties between the two. Since the early 1960s, China has been the largest defence supplier to Pakistan. It has extended invaluable cooperation that extends to all three services, and has not only provided weapons and equipment but also assisted Pakistan in developing a strong capability in defence production.

The Aeronautical Complex, Heavy Industries Taxila and production lines in Pakistan Ordnance Factories etc have been set up with Chinese help. China has been providing military hardware, technology and scientific expertise to Pakistan and also helped us develop the 750-km range solid-fuelled Shaheen-1 ballistic missile. Not only that; in 1992 China supplied Pakistan with 34 short-range ballistic M-11 missiles. Conventional weapons provided to Pakistan by China include: the JF-17 aircraft, F-22 frigates with helicopters, K-8 jet trainers, T-85 tanks, F-7 aircraft, and small arms and ammunition.

It was in 1999, during the Nawaz regime, that Pakistan and China agreed to co-development and co-production of the JF-17 aircraft at the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) at Kamra in collaboration with the Chinese Aviation Industry (CATIC) to replace the ageing, medium-tech fleet of mirages. This helped us attain self-sufficiency in the field of aircraft production dictated by events and the gravity of threats to Pakistan’s security. The agreement envisaged production of 50 aircraft for induction in the Pakistan Air Force.

The JF-17 aircraft is based on modern concepts of aerodynamics and the hybrid fly-by-wire control system which makes it highly agile in all regimes of the operational fighting. It is an all-weather, multi-role and light control combat aircraft. It is also equipped with fourth generation avionic systems that keep it beyond the visual range, short range missiles and air-to-surface missiles. So far, the PAF has equipped three squadrons with the JF-17 aircraft. The induction of this aircraft in the PAF has made our air defence impregnable and enhanced its operational readiness manifold – making our skis safer than before. It could well prove to be the major stride towards self-reliance in meeting the needs of our air force as well as a catalyst to the development of the defence industry in Pakistan

The PAC has completed the production of 50 aircraft. The fiftieth plane of Block-I project was rolled out on December 18, 2013. On the eve of the rolling out ceremony the PAC and CATIC signed an agreement for another 50 aircraft for Block-II batch. The JF-17 aircraft being produced under Block-II are an upgraded version of the aircraft produced under Block-I with an improved version of avionic sub-systems, air-to-air refuelling capability, additional weapons carriage facility, optimised maintenance facilitation and some additional operation capabilities.

In view of the interest shown in the JF-17 aircraft by a number of countries, the PAC and CATIC also inked an agreement for joint sale and marketing of the aircraft – which undoubtedly would accrue enormous economic benefits to Pakistan. It would perhaps be pertinent to mention that during the visit to Sri Lanka by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif an agreement for the sale of eight combat JF-17 Thunder aircraft to Sri Lanka was signed between the two countries, with a delivery timeline of 2017.

With this agreement, Pakistan has joined the prestigious club of countries that produce and export combat aircraft. This cooperation in the domain of defence over the years has not only helped Pakistan bolster its defence capability and dilute the security threat posed by India, but has also helped China in countering the Indian influence in the region.

While the US imposed sanctions on Pakistan in 1965 and again in 1990, China has consistently supported Pakistan’s military modernisation effort. China built two nuclear reactors at Chashma and is currently engaged in developing two more plants at the same site, a venture thought to be a response to the US-India civil nuclear deal. China also dismissed NSG concerns about its failure to apply full NSG safeguards to its nuclear projects in Pakistan. And the country has also helped Pakistan develop a deep-sea port at Gwadar whose control has now been handed over to China.

‘New China’ is all for resolving disputes through dialogue. That involves restraint from armed conflicts and partnership with the regional countries for shared economic prosperity. This is amply demonstrated by the establishment of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the ‘One Belt, One Road’ initiative that includes the CPEC.

In pursuance of this policy, China has also tried to improve economic relations with India. China’s President Xi Jin Ping also visited India in 2014 and during the visit China pledged $20 billion Chinese investment in India in infrastructure and communication projects. The Indian prime minister also paid a return visit. The volume of trade between the two countries has also increased manifold. China supports and encourages resolution of disputes between Pakistan and India, including Kashmir, through a bilateral mechanism agreed between them.

Despite these developments, China continues to maintain a robust defence relationship with Pakistan. There is a strong probability that the defence ties between China and Pakistan are poised to attain new heights in the future. This is mostly going to be in light of the US trying to prop up India as a regional superpower to contain the burgeoning Chinese influence in the region and beyond as well as other factors such as American involvement in the South China Sea, a development that has the potential of developing into a conflict between the two giant powers. In this India is also expected to play some role and there is enough suspicion of US-India covert collusion to sabotage the CPEC.

The CPEC is an initiative that, apart from unleashing an era of infinite regional economic prosperity, will further improve cooperation on security and defence matters between the two countries which is absolutely necessary to protect our expanding commercial interests.

The writer is a freelance contributor.

Email: ashpak10@gmail.com