Why China and Pakistan have such good relations
When it comes to "Pakistan Railway", it can be said to be famous, that is, neighboring Pakistan. I don't know since when, our netizens have combined "Pakistan" and "Old Iron", and habitually called Pakistan "Pakistan Iron"
This is naturally a term derived from the relationship between China and Pakistan. So how strong is Pakistan and China? Why does China attach so much importance to Pakistan?
Let’s start with the traditional friendship between China and Pakistan.
We often hear the word "traditional friendship between China and Pakistan". It is true that the relationship between countries cannot be described by interpersonal relationships in life, but for China and Pakistan, the word "traditional friendship" is more appropriate.
The so-called "tradition" naturally has historical origins. The history of China and Pakistan being invaded and oppressed by imperialism in modern times is not to be mentioned. At the beginning of the founding of the People's Republic of China, the international situation it faced was extremely dangerous. Many socialist countries were willing to recognize the People's Republic of China. Whether they could win the support of non-socialist countries is a major issue in our diplomacy.
Pakistan, Myanmar, India, Pakistan, Ceylon, Afghanistan, etc. were the first non-socialist countries to recognize New China. At the beginning of 1950, my country and Pakistan reached an agreement on the establishment of diplomatic relations. On May 21, 1951, China and Pakistan formally established diplomatic relations. Not long after the establishment of diplomatic relations, China and Pakistan signed a commercial agreement, and then the two countries started friendly exchanges from all walks of life and people.
During the period of British India, Pakistan was also a part of the British colony and had deep ties with the United Kingdom. Pakistan and India are still Commonwealth countries, yes, and India too. Before India coveted our territory, it had a good relationship with China. These two Commonwealth countries have established diplomatic relations with China, which has had a certain impact on British foreign policy. After weighing the pros and cons, Britain became the first country in the West to recognize New China. This actually broke the attempt of the Western hostile forces to isolate the new China. A nascent People's Republic with a quarter of the human population quickly established itself internationally.
The traditional friendship between China and Pakistan is not limited to the first recognition of the new China. Pakistan's role will soon be brought into play.
After the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan, Pakistan has given China a lot of support in international diplomacy.
The first is the role of the question in China's restoration of the UN seat. In 1962, despite pressure from the United States, Pakistan supported the restoration of New China's legitimate seat in the United Nations in a United Nations vote. Until New China entered the United Nations, every UNB will serve as a sponsor to support the restoration of New China's legal rights in the United Nations.
As a country of etiquette, China certainly knows how to reciprocate.
Out of concern for India, Pakistan chose to be pro-American at the beginning of its independence. In the 1950s, it concluded the Mutual Defense Assistance Agreement and the Bilateral Defense Cooperation Agreement with the United States, and also joined the "Central Treaty" organized by the United States. Organization", "Southeast Asia Treaty Organization" and other organizations to contain China, and allow the United States to set up military bases in Pakistan.
With the changes in the international situation, the United States began to take sides between India and Pakistan. After the border conflict between China and India, the United States felt that it could win over India to check and balance China, so it greatly increased its aid to India. In the second Indo-Pakistani war in 1965, the United States adopted the method of imposing an arms embargo on India and Pakistan. This policy seems to be impartial, but in fact, it is equivalent to drawing wages from the bottom of Pakistan. Because India can get weapons from the Soviet Union, Pakistan cannot.
India has gained air supremacy with a large number of Soviet-style fighter jets. The situation in Pakistan is extremely bad. Let alone to keep Pakistan-controlled Kashmir, there is a question mark on whether the country can still exist. Internationally it has fallen into isolation, as a Pakistani official said at the time: "We have been abandoned by the world".
Seeing that India has the hope of turning its dream of "splitting East Pakistan and recovering Pakistan" into reality, a poor but large country has emerged behind Pakistan, which wakes India up from its dream. The support from China is very important to Pakistan. At the critical moment, China has been firmly supporting Pakistan, which makes Pakistan realize that the alliance with the United States is not reliable, and start to develop more positive relations with China.
Since then, Pakistan-US relations have not broken down, but there have been obvious cracks. Pakistan has refused to participate in the military activities of the two organizations, and it has also refused to support the United States on the Vietnam War and the Laos issue. Beginning in 1965, the United States cut off military aid and arms supplies to Pakistan, and in response, Pakistan closed down U.S. communications bases within its borders.
But after all, Pakistan and the United States still have friendship. Taking advantage of its special relationship between China and the United States, it took the initiative to assume the role of a suitable channel for communication between China and the United States.
During the Cold War, the West held a long-term blockade against China, and the good relationship between China and Pakistan has become a window for China to communicate with the Western world. Nixon hoped that the information about his visit to China and the information about China's invitation to visit were delivered in a timely manner through Pakistani President Yahya Khan. Kissinger's first visit to China also had the cooperation and cooperation of Pakistani security personnel. In the process of normalizing Sino-US relations, Pakistan has played a very important role.
Another point that is easily overlooked is that Pakistan has a population of 220 million. It is the second most populous Islamic country in the world. It has deep ties with the Middle East countries and neighboring countries such as Afghanistan. Due to Pakistan's important geographical location, China-Pakistan Good relations are an important bridge between Chinese civilization and Islamic civilization, and are of great significance to China's development of relations with Islamic countries.
If we want to talk about traditional friendship, then this is it. For more than 70 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan, there have been no twists and turns in diplomatic relations. Friendship and goodwill have always been the main theme. If this is not traditional friendship, then what is?
In addition to traditional friendship, China-Pakistan friendship has more important practical and strategic significance, and the reason comes from India.
As we all know, India regards itself as the successor of British India, and insists on inheriting all the British colonies. It even makes territorial claims against us based on the "McMahon Line" drawn by the British at the beginning, which eventually led to the Sino-Indian border conflict. . Modern India has always wanted to become a "powerful and powerful country", and under the cover of the "China Threat Theory", it has continuously broken through the original balance of power between India and Pakistan.
There have been many disputes between India and Pakistan in the Kashmir region for a long time. The two countries have fought three wars for this. Because India is far stronger than Pakistan, and the two countries are close at hand, Pakistan can be said to hate and fear India. regarded as the main opponent.
The enemy of the enemy is a friend, not to mention that China and Pakistan still have a traditional friendship. India is more hostile to China than to Pakistan, so it is the best choice to make India together with Pakistan. Pakistan, as China's "all-weather friend", can not only increase China's weight against India in the Sino-Indian conflict, but also allow China to act as a vital force on the road of reconciliation between India and Pakistan, making both India and Pakistan seek China, in the role of India-Pakistan balancer, can safeguard its own interests to the greatest extent possible.
Jumping out of South Asia and looking to the world, Pakistan is also of great significance.
Pakistan is both pro-American and pro-China, but it is the mortal enemy of India. Once Sino-US relations are not good, the US will support India. At this time, Pakistan will stand on China's side and oppose India. Once Sino-US relations are good, the United States will support Pakistan, and China, the United States and Pakistan will form an alliance.
At a time of tension between China and the United States, controlling Pakistan is at the heart of its South Asia strategy and will have a huge impact on South Asia. China has made huge investment in Pakistan's energy channel, and Pakistan's safety is directly related to China's economic lifeline. The traditional friendship between China and Pakistan has made the Chinese and Pakistani militaries closely linked and ensured their security.
For China, losing Pakistan will lose the western security barrier, which means that it will directly face the challenge of the United States. At that time, the United States can directly infiltrate China, and the security situation will be challenged.
If the game of national strategy is a little far away for ordinary people, then look at the real thing.
In 1963, China and Pakistan signed the first trade and payment agreement, stipulating that the two countries give each other MFN treatment in trade, shipping, etc. The agreement is still in effect today. In 1969, China and Pakistan began to develop direct border trade, and direct exchanges between the two countries in the border areas became more active.
With the friendship between China and Pakistan, the friendly exchanges between the people of China and Pakistan will also have a foundation. A British journalist once interviewed Pakistanis with malicious intent: "Does China really care about you?" The people of Pakistan responded like this: "For the relationship between China and Pakistan, I think it should be higher than the Himalayas."
A friend who came to the UK said this after returning: The Pakistani people you see, whether drivers, cooks, school teachers or students, when they see my yellow-race appearance, they must ask me which country I am from, and they are enthusiastic when they get the answer. To answer: China and Pakistan people are forever best friends!
So if you don't have contact with Pakistanis, the China-Pakistan friendship will be of no use to you, of course not.
Under the trend of modern social and economic model and the globalization of the world economy, even if an individual does not deal directly with Pakistanis, it may not be guaranteed that the industry you are engaged in has or will become a cog in the chain of international economic and trade exchanges.
Pakistan itself is an important exporter of commodities to China. China's computer and communication technology, fertilizers, steel plates, machinery and equipment are the main import commodities of Pakistan.
For example, in 2019, the Chinese mobile phone brand OPPP has occupied 25% of the Pakistani mobile phone market, ranking first, while Huawei and VIVO also accounted for 15% and 13% of the market share, and Chinese mobile phones occupied Pakistan. Half of the mobile phone market.
The mobile phone manufacturing supply chain is a huge industrial chain involving countless companies. Pakistan also has its own advantageous industries, such as medical equipment. Pakistan has the largest surgical instrument manufacturing industry in Asia and is one of the major production bases for medical instruments in the world. Medical equipment is one of the main products exported by Pakistan to China.
To put it another way, even if your job has nothing to do with these, the economic situation of the country is always closely related to everyone.
Pakistan is located at an important node of the Belt and Road Initiative and is an important pivot country. The China-Pakistan friendship makes Pakistan like a solid bridge pier to ensure the smooth advancement and implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative. I will not say much about the significance of the Belt and Road Initiative. Most of the countries it passes through are developing countries and emerging economies, with huge potential for economic development, and it will benefit all people.
The construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor has achieved fruitful results in the past eight years. It has now entered the second stage. The leading project Gwadar Port has been put into operation. Its construction and development are also of great significance to my country's economic development, making my country more than the Strait of Malacca. a choice.
Coupled with the above-mentioned onshore energy access and the Central Asian high-speed rail plan, it is a matter of the whole economy, and who can say that it has nothing to do with us.
China has been Pakistan's largest trading partner, largest source of imports and third largest export destination for several consecutive years. With the advancement of the Belt and Road Initiative, the total trade volume between the two countries is still increasing year by year.
All in all, why long live the friendship between China and Pakistan, Pakistani politicians have a motto: If you believe in the United States at any time, you choose to be abandoned. It means that the US policy is changeable and its attitude is weird. I believe that the US is in danger of being abandoned. In contrast, my country's policy is consistent and complete. China will never invade other countries. We have always said that distant relatives are inferior to close neighbors. Peaceful development, mutual benefit and win-win results are the main themes.
China-Pakistan friendship is in the fundamental interests of the two peoples. With such a cornerstone, China-Pakistan friendship will last forever.
When it comes to "Pakistan Railway", it can be said to be famous, that is, neighboring Pakistan. I don't know since when, our netizens have combined "Pakistan" and "Old Iron", and habitually called Pakistan "Pakistan Iron".
This is naturally a term derived from the relationship between China and Pakistan. So how strong is Pakistan and China? Why does China attach so much importance to Pakistan?
Let’s start with the traditional friendship between China and Pakistan.
We often hear the word "traditional friendship between China and Pakistan". It is true that the relationship between countries cannot be described by interpersonal relationships in life, but for China and Pakistan, the word "traditional friendship" is more appropriate.
The so-called "tradition" naturally has historical origins. The history of China and Pakistan being invaded and oppressed by imperialism in modern times is not to be mentioned. At the beginning of the founding of the People's Republic of China, the international situation it faced was extremely dangerous. Many socialist countries were willing to recognize the People's Republic of China. Whether they could win the support of non-socialist countries is a major issue in our diplomacy.
Pakistan, Myanmar, India, Pakistan, Ceylon, Afghanistan, etc. were the first non-socialist countries to recognize New China. At the beginning of 1950, my country and Pakistan reached an agreement on the establishment of diplomatic relations. On May 21, 1951, China and Pakistan formally established diplomatic relations. Not long after the establishment of diplomatic relations, China and Pakistan signed a commercial agreement, and then the two countries started friendly exchanges from all walks of life and people.
During the period of British India, Pakistan was also a part of the British colony and had deep ties with the United Kingdom. Pakistan and India are still Commonwealth countries, yes, and India too. Before India coveted our territory, it had a good relationship with China. These two Commonwealth countries have established diplomatic relations with China, which has had a certain impact on British foreign policy. After weighing the pros and cons, Britain became the first country in the West to recognize New China. This actually broke the attempt of the Western hostile forces to isolate the new China. A nascent People's Republic with a quarter of the human population quickly established itself internationally.
The traditional friendship between China and Pakistan is not limited to the first recognition of the new China. Pakistan's role will soon be brought into play.
After the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan, Pakistan has given China a lot of support in international diplomacy.
The first is the role of the question in China's restoration of the UN seat. In 1962, despite pressure from the United States, Pakistan supported the restoration of New China's legitimate seat in the United Nations in a United Nations vote. Until New China entered the United Nations, every UNB will serve as a sponsor to support the restoration of New China's legal rights in the United Nations.
As a country of etiquette, China certainly knows how to reciprocate.
Out of concern for India, Pakistan chose to be pro-American at the beginning of its independence. In the 1950s, it concluded the Mutual Defense Assistance Agreement and the Bilateral Defense Cooperation Agreement with the United States, and also joined the "Central Treaty" organized by the United States. Organization", "Southeast Asia Treaty Organization" and other organizations to contain China, and allow the United States to set up military bases in Pakistan.
With the changes in the international situation, the United States began to take sides between India and Pakistan. After the border conflict between China and India, the United States felt that it could win over India to check and balance China, so it greatly increased its aid to India. In the second Indo-Pakistani war in 1965, the United States adopted the method of imposing an arms embargo on India and Pakistan. This policy seems to be impartial, but in fact, it is equivalent to drawing wages from the bottom of Pakistan. Because India can get weapons from the Soviet Union, Pakistan cannot.
India has gained air supremacy with a large number of Soviet-style fighter jets. The situation in Pakistan is extremely bad. Let alone to keep Pakistan-controlled Kashmir, there is a question mark on whether the country can still exist. Internationally it has fallen into isolation, as a Pakistani official said at the time: "We have been abandoned by the world".
Seeing that India has the hope of turning its dream of "splitting East Pakistan and recovering Pakistan" into a reality, Pakistan has emerged behind the scenes.