Why does Pakistan matter to China?

In the international relations, it is said that there are no permanent friends and no permanent enemies.
Every state follows realism and is struggling for its own survival. National interests are the top priority.
Strategic, political and economic goals are achieved by building alliances and diplomatic ties. Therefore
in the context of fostering Pakistan-China ties, it is quite evident that Pakistan needs China because of
commonality of interests i.e. having a strong ally in the neighbourhood, keeping check to Indian and US
influence in the region, creating huge bilateral trade and investment prospects, cooperation in the fields
of energy, defence, infrastructure, communication etc. and to stand with each other on international
platforms over issues of concerns such as Kashmir, human rights, terrorism etc.

On the other hand, China look up to Pakistan, despite being a smaller state, as an important strategic
and regional player. Pakistan, being a peaceful and friendly neighbour is important for China to create
space for itself in the region. Pakistan serves as a bridge for China to develop its ties with the Muslim
world and the West. Infact, the China-US reapproachment in the early 1970’s was due to efforts of
Pakistan. At diplomatic and political level, Pakistan has supported China over Tibet, Xinjiang, Taiwan and
human rights issues.

China realizes that the normalization of relations in the intra-regional nuclear states is imperative to
avoid nuclear arms race and nuclear conflict in the region. Hence, Pakistan plays a key role in South
Asian nuclear balance and stability. Pakistan being a responsible nuclear weapon state has a prestigious
status in the Muslim world and China co-operates with Pakistan in the use of civil nuclear energy and
technology.

Pakistan role is also vital for China to fight against terrorism i.e. East Turkmenistan Islamic Movement
(ETIM) and to work on joint counter terrorism mechanisms for eliminating terrorism threat from its
Xinjiang province. China considers Pakistan’s role importance for stability in Afghanistan and in the
reconciliation with the Taliban. From strategic point of view, China needs Pakistan to counter US and
Indian influence in the region. The growing Indo-US ties are also against Chinese interests as it sees it a
US strategy to strengthen India for China’s containment not only in the region but also in the Indian
Ocean and South China Sea.

On economic terms, Pakistan’s geo-graphical location implies great commercial and strategic value for
China. Pakistan provides China access to Middle East, Central Asia, Europe and other regions of the
world. The development of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and Gwadar port as an energy hub
would link Kashgar to Gwadar and open up enormous economic opportunities for both countries. The
Gwadar port will provide China access to the Straits of Hormuz, the Persian Gulf, the Arabian Sea and
the Indian Ocean.

The Gwadar port would also provide China with an alternative route to Malacca straits in the South
China Sea. The CPEC would connect the port of Gwadar with the western provinces of China. The CPEC
would open new trade and investment opportunities for China. Hence, it would
help in development of these poorly developed western regions of China. China is also looking forward
to explore and exploit the mineral resources and reserves in Balochistan. Similarly, through CPEC, China
would be able to transport mineral resources and hydrocarbons from Central Asia. The port would also
become an important staging area for China’s rapidly expanding and modernizing navy and submarine
fleet. Therefore, the CPEC has immense potential for China to trigger an era of regional economic
linkages and regional connectivity and that is possible only by co-operation from Pakistan.

China has made Pakistan the central link between its Silk Road initiatives that are designed to advance
Chinese interests in Central Asia, the Caspian Sea basin and beyond. These China’s maritime and
overland Silk Roads would increase Pakistan’s pivotal importance for Beijing. Apart from this, Pakistan
also provides a huge market for Chinese goods and products. Pakistan is the largest buyer of Chinese
defence and military equipment. Both the countries hold strong military and defence ties. Hence, it can
be concluded that Pakistan-China relations are not only based on mutuality of interests but also on the
basis of equality and reciprocity. China’s importance for Pakistan is not one sided but China also needs
Pakistan for its global outreach and to achieve its strategic, political, economic and regional interests.