The story of Pakistan–China relations is one of the most remarkable chronicles of modern international diplomacy. At a time when the world was polarised by cold-war politics, Pakistan and China found in each other a relationship that steadily grew from cautious beginnings into a towering edifice of friendship, cooperation and unyielding support across every sphere of national life.
This bond has endured regime changes, global upheavals and the shifting sands of international politics, yet it stands today as a shining example of unbroken trust between two sovereign nations.
When Chairman Mao Zedong and Premier Zhou Enlai charted the course of the new China, Pakistan was among the first countries to recognise the legitimacy of their government. At a time when the West was hesitant, Pakistan chose courage over convenience, and this act of foresight laid the groundwork for a relationship that has since matured into a brotherhood.
During the presidency of Field Marshal Ayub Khan, this understanding blossomed into strategic cooperation. It was Ayub Khan’s vision, supported by the statesmanship of Zhou Enlai, that placed the two nations on a road of collaboration. The construction of the Karakoram Highway was a monumental symbol of this partnership. Built through mountains that defied engineering, it became not merely a passage for commerce but also a corridor of friendship.
It was during the era of prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto that the alliance reached new heights. Bhutto, with his dynamic diplomacy, became a bridge between Beijing and the world. It was Pakistan that opened doors for China to the international community by playing a critical role in ensuring China’s rightful place in the UN and its permanent seat in the Security Council. This was no ordinary service; it was a gift of history, remembered in Beijing with gratitude and acknowledged in Islamabad with pride.
Through subsequent decades, every regime in Pakistan – whether civilian or military – found in Beijing an ally whose friendship was beyond expediency. China, in return, stood by Pakistan at every difficult hour. Whether it was the wars of 1965 and 1971 or the turbulent years that followed, Beijing’s moral, diplomatic and material support never wavered.
In the 21st century, this friendship has evolved to new heights under the auspices of the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the flagship of the Belt and Road Initiative. Through the CPEC, China has invested billions in Pakistan’s infrastructure, energy, ports and industry. Gwadar, once a quiet coastal town, has been transformed into a deep-sea port with global potential. Highways, railways, power projects and industrial zones are not merely investments in Pakistan’s economy but commitments to its stability and progress. At a time when the international financial climate has often been unkind, China has extended generous loans, rolling over debts and providing crucial assistance to steady Pakistan’s economic wheel.
Defence cooperation remains another vital pillar. The co-production of the JF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft is a testament to the success of shared technology and mutual trust, providing Pakistan’s Air Force with a modern edge while enhancing self-reliance. Collaboration has also extended to the navy and army, where China’s technical expertise and supply of modern equipment have fortified Pakistan’s defence capability. Joint exercises, training programmes, and transfer of technology have deepened military ties, ensuring that both countries remain secure in the face of external threats.
Equally important is the technological support that China has extended to Pakistan in fields beyond defence. From space technology to telecommunications, from nuclear energy to digital infrastructure, Beijing has offered Islamabad tools of progress that few other nations have been willing to share. This transfer of knowledge has placed Pakistan on a path of modernisation that might otherwise have been denied to it.
At every international forum, China has defended Pakistan’s cause with consistency and courage. Whether the issue has been Kashmir, economic crises, or global security debates, Beijing has lent its voice to Pakistan’s position. Pakistan, in return, has remained steadfastly aligned with China, affirming the principle that their destinies are intertwined. Together, they have faced global challenges, whether of terrorism, extremism, or international isolation, with the conviction that their partnership is strong enough against the storms of time.
It is often said that nations have no permanent friends, only permanent interests. Yet the Pakistan–China relationship is an exception to this rule. Built on shared values of sovereignty, mutual respect, and non-interference, it has risen above the ebb and flow of international self-interest. The names of Mao Zedong, Zhou Enlai, Ayub Khan and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto are inscribed at the foundation of this brotherhood, but their legacy has been carried forward by every leader in both lands.
Today, as Pakistan and China look to the future, the friendship of the past serves as both anchor and compass. The Karakoram Highway has evolved into a network of economic corridors; the diplomatic support of the 1970s has developed into a strategic partnership that shapes regional security; the defense cooperation of the past decades has blossomed into joint ventures involving cutting-edge technology. The bond remains as firm as the mountains it traverses, as deep as the seas it touches, and as enduring as the ideals of sovereignty and dignity that both nations hold sacred.
In the shifting global order, where alliances break and powers realign, the Pakistan–China friendship stands unshaken, a testament to trust that has withstood wars, crises and changing tides.
The writer is the director general of research at the National Assembly, Parliament House, Islamabad.