National Defense University (NDU), Islamabad
In modern world politics, China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region has become one of the most disputed and sensitive debate. The constraints imposed by Chinese policies on Uyghur Muslim population encompass restraints on religious autonomy, widespread monitoring, cultural blending and working of custodial centers, and many a times the matter has been highlighted by western governments, human rights organizations and many scholarly writings. These actions are against human rights according to some states. But China, on the other hand completely dismiss them by claiming that its policies are very much in line with anti-terrorism efforts, ideological reforms and poverty relief and will help in economic growth and security. Moreover, they have declared that their leadership have always upheld values of terrorism prevention, better employment provision and improved living whenever dealing with the Muslims of Uyghur and many of these efforts have proved successful.
Such opposing arguments from 2 sides have made this situation a hot debate internationally and indirectly questioned politics strategies of many countries which include Pakistan. Pakistan has always remained a big supporter of China and has refrained from any discussion on the policies adopted by China. This gives rise to yet another debate, In case allegations carried against China in regard to Uyghur Muslim population are justified, what will be response of Pakistan? Will it remain a right of china as far as political and economic situations are concerned?
Pakistan stance with regard to this issue has fluctuated many a times with different leadership and governments. Due to cordial relations of two countries, arguments and clarifications given by china were acknowledged by the former Prime Minister Imran khan during his regime.
Foreign office of Pakistan is also a huge advocator of security and well-being in Xinjiang and has supported china on that. This support was extended by former President Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and reassurance for protection of sovereignty and policies of China was given. Not only this but repeatedly on many occasions Pakistan has supported china’s stance and has fully defended its approach. This is very much indicative of the fact that Pak-China friendship is a part of policy-oriented tactics and not influenced by leadership inclinations.
Strategic Foundations of Pakistan–China Relations
If examined from a historical perspective, over the last six decades, Pakistan and china have not only maintained friendly bilateral ties from the very beginning but china has also remained as Pakistan most trusted and reliable supporter during times of political catastrophes. And this mutual partnership can practically explain Pakistan stance with regard to china as far as issue of Xinjiang is concerned. And this is the foremost of all factors shaping their relations.
In 1963, when Sino-Pak boundary agreement was made, the friendship of two states became inevitable because Pakistan had preferred mutual discussions in place of power display to resolve the border issue, in spite of the fact that china was suffering from political turmoil with its other neighbors. This agreement has become a hallmark of their relations and a starting point of “all weather friendships” and helped solving not only the regional border issues but also laid the foundation for political collaboration and shared confidence.
During Indo-Pak war in 1965, their friendship grew even further when china publicly opposed India and continued its political support to Pakistan while most of western world stopped their defense support. This earned china even a more credible position in eyes of Pakistan, a friend who can be trusted during tough times.
China’s assistance and cooperation became even more critical in times 1971 political turmoil for Pakistan that made east Pakistan, the Bangladesh and west Pakistan, only Pakistan. China was helpless as far as security repercussions of the event were concerned, it repeatedly supported Pakistan’s stance on international platforms and rejected all notions of Pakistan being unfavorable for its concerns. This was the very thing which made Pakistan believe that china is in fact a friend in need is a friend indeed.
Another landmark event that happened in 1971 was when Pakistan supported and assisted with the Henry Kissinger’s secret visit to Beijing. Pakistan served as a mediator between United States and china to improve their mutual relations and strived for peace between the two which reinforced upon china that Pakistan will remain a loyal friend, thus further deepening their bond.
The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 was yet another challenge to their geopolitical alignment, both of them considered soviet extension as a peril to territorial peace and stability and thus continued supporting and advocating all notions and policies that were against it.
.
When talking about national safety and security, china’s role in Pakistan politics is not of lesser value. The encouragement and cooperation provided by china to Pakistan during nuclear testing era in 1974 and 1998 is clearly suggestive that without their help Pakistan couldn’t have come this far while resisting India. This has gained Beijing even a more reliable and meaningful position from the perspective of Pakistan.
The relationship got even more attention and importance after the events of 9/11 and the beginning of new geopolitical era in South Asia. While Pakistan’s relations with the United States have remained unstable through times, China has remained reliable in regard to its policies related to Pakistan. This continuity and stability in their relation convinced Pakistan even more of china being loyal than many other states.
With the introduction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in 2015, yet another beginning has taken place. The relationship dynamics and goals were furthered by the project and instead of merely focusing on defense issues, the partnership has now become more development oriented in fields of economy, energy and territorial integration. And thus the status has improved to being reliable geopolitical and economic supporter.
Pak China relations have a long history and are constructed upon decades of strategic assistance, military support, economic cooperation and common developmental goals. And for that very reason Pakistan can never openly oppose china in such matters of international concerns because it will not align with their shared interests and broad dynamics of their relationship. Regardless of whether all the arguments that go against china are proven true, Pakistan would never openly challenge china as their relation is rooted in history long collaborative alliance in economic and military fields. This would be a plain impairment of those enduring bilateral relations.
The patterns of interaction between two states is in coherence with the Realist theory according to which in international relations sustenance, strategic stability and state priorities are factors of utmost importance rather than ethical and belief oriented concerns. Scholars such as Hans Morgenthau and Kenneth Waltz consider that in formulation of foreign policy, a state should lay significant emphasis on pivotal requirements and power preferences rather than normative ideals.
This logic is exemplified by Pakistan’s position on Xinjiang where long term national goals were weighed more. When it comes to choosing between either supporting a close friend or openly confronting it who has remained a reliable supporter throughout, the Realist model would never suggest confrontation rather it would urge Pakistan to preserve its mutual interests and strategic and regional political policy goals. And this diplomatic position adopted by Pakistan is nothing but a practical evidence of how Realist model works in actual world where preservation of national priorities is far more important than doctrine empathies.
Leave a Reply