Syed Muhammad Qaseem: China and Pakistan have renewed their commitment to deepen cooperation and strengthen what both nations describe as an “ironclad” relationship, even as Pakistan’s ties with the United States appear to be warming.
Islamabad has long supported Beijing on a range of sensitive global issues, including Taiwan, Xinjiang, Tibet, Hong Kong and disputes in the South China Sea. In return, China has invested billions of dollars in Pakistan through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a central pillar of the Belt and Road Initiative.
However, repeated militant attacks targeting Chinese workers involved in CPEC projects have created tensions in recent years.
The situation is further complicated by improving relations between Pakistan and Washington since Donald Trump’s return to office, giving the U.S. renewed influence in a region China considers strategically important. Pakistan even suggested nominating Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize after he helped ease tensions with India.
In a joint statement, both nations pledged to upgrade CPEC and expand collaboration in areas such as industry, agriculture, mining, finance and banking. China also commended Pakistan for measures taken to enhance the security of Chinese citizens and projects.
The statement urged more concrete and verifiable steps to dismantle terrorist networks operating from Afghanistan, though no specific plan was outlined.
Pakistan remains one of China’s few “all-weather strategic partners,” with ties spanning decades, including Islamabad’s role in helping China build diplomatic bridges with the United States in the 1970s. Yet strengthened security and development cooperation with Washington presents Islamabad with a delicate balancing act.
Despite changing regional dynamics, Beijing and Islamabad stressed that they intend to broaden strategic trust and pursue new opportunities to advance their shared interests.
