BAHRIA UNIVERSITY

KARACHI CAMPUS
ASSIGNMENT #02
FALL 2020

TOPIC OF ASSIGNMENT: PAKISTAN FOREIGN RELATIONS

Students have to write in detail about the Foreign relations of Pakistan with any one country of
the world.

This assignment is of 10 marks.

Note: Due to this pandemic COVID-19 and lockdown in the city, students are requested to
submit their assignment on my email ID erumaliwardak@gmail.com as well as submitted on
LMS.
Stay Home, Stay Safe

Regards,
ERUM ALI WARDAK
 Pakistan’s foreign relationship with China
Introduction

Ever since the establishment of diplomatic relations in May 1951, both Pakistan and China
enjoy strong friendly relationship with each other. With the passage of time this relationship
has blossomed into an “All Weather Strategic Cooperation Partnership”. China is considered by
Pakistan as its closest friend while China considers Pakistan as its “iron brother”. The
relationship between the two countries is based upon mutual trust, respect towards one
another.

History

In 1950 Pakistan was the first Muslim country that had recognized the People’s Republic of
China and on 21 May 1951 diplomatic relationships between China and Pakistan were
established. In 1956 the Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai and Pakistani Prime Minister Huseyn
Shaheed had signed the Treaty of Friendship between Pakistan and China which marked the
close ties between the two countries. In 1959 construction on Karakorum Highway started
which was also called the Friendship Highway by the Pakistani and Chinese governments in
which several Chinese and Pakistani workers had lost their lives. Ever since the two countries
established their “all-weather diplomatic relations” there has been a frequent exchange of
people and leadership between the two, like how the former Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai was
warmly welcomed during his four visits to Pakistan. In 2004 in Islamabad a road was named
“Zhou Enlai road” this is the first road in Pakistan named after foreign leaders hence showing
the close ties between Pakistan and China.

Military relations

Strong military ties exist between Pakistan and China. Ever since 1962 China has been a regular
source of military equipment to the Pakistan Army, it also helped in establishing ammunition
factories as well as providing technological assistance. China is the largest investor in Pakistan’s
Gwadar deep Sea Port which is viewed by both India and US as a means for Chinese Navy to
launch their submarines and warships in Indian Ocean. China had also played an important role
in the past regarding the Pakistan’s development of nuclear infrastructure. On 19 April 2015
China had supplied concluded the sale of eight conventional submarines which were supplied
and financed to Pakistan at low interest rate
Economic and trade relations

In South Asia Pakistan is China’s second largest trading partner. Major imports from China are
machinery, metals, mineral ores, mechanical appliances etc, while the main exports of Pakistan
include cotton yarn, rice, leather, fish products etc. Recently the trade between the two
countries had been increasing and a free trade agreement had been signed. In 2002 the
bilateral trade stood at US$ 1.3 billion had reached US$ 19.08 billion in 2018.

Current Relations

From 16 to 17 March 2020 at the invitation of H.E Xi Jinping, the President of the People’s
Republic of China, Dr Arif Alvi, the President of Islamic Republic of Pakistan visited China. During
the visit the President of Pakistan not only met Xi Jinping but also the Premier Li Keqiang and
the Chairman National People’s Congress Li Zhanshu. The visit symbolized the feeling of unity of
Pakistan with its iron brother. This visit took place at a time when China was struggling with
Covid-19. Even to this day China stands as one of the central pillars of Pakistan’s foreign policy.
Throughout these 73 years Pakistan faced several difficulties and through this difficult time
China stood by Pakistan’s side, China not only recognized Pakistan’s achievements but also
encouraged other countries to appreciate Pakistan’s stand against terrorism.

China continues to enjoy a well respected and admired profile in Pakistan. Numerous Pakistani
students have gone abroad on scholarships to study in Chinese universities and during the
Covid-19 pandemic China had provided Islamabad with the vital equipment to help Pakistan
deal with the virus.

Conclusion

Up to this day China is considered as Pakistan’s oldest and most trusted friend, with the bond
between the two being unbreakable. Any form of disappointment, setbacks has been
completely absent in the 73 years old relationship between China and Pakistan.