Sino-Pakistani relations

Sino-Pakistani relations began in 1950 when Pakistan was among the first countries to break relations with the Republic of China on Taiwan and recognize the People's Republic of China. Following the Sino-Indian hostilities of 1962, Pakistan's relations with the PRC became stronger; since then, the two countries have regularly exchanged high-level visits resulting in a variety of agreements. The PRC has provided economic, military, and technical assistance to Pakistan. The alliance remains strong.

Favorable relations with China have been a pillar of Pakistan's foreign policy. China strongly supported Pakistan's opposition to Soviet involvement in Afghanistan and was perceived by Pakistan as a regional counterweight to India and the USSR. The PRC and Pakistan also share a close military relation, with China supplying a range of modern armaments to the Pakistani defence forces. Lately, military cooperation has deepened with joint projects producing armaments ranging from fighter jets to guided missile frigates. Chinese cooperation with Pakistan has reached high economic points with substantial investment from China in Pakistani infrastructural expansion, including the noted project in the Pakistani port in Gwadar.

Background

Pakistan has an enduring, multi-dimensional and deep-rooted relationship with China. The long-standing ties of friendship between the two countries are underpinned by mutual trust and confidence. A close identity of views and mutuality of interest remain the hallmark of bilateral ties. Pakistan has always supported China on all issues of importance to the latter, especially those related to the question of China's sovereignty e.g. Yunnan, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Xinjiang, Northeast China, Inner Mongolia, Ningxia and Tibet and other sensitive issues such as human rights. The Chinese leadership has always appreciated Pakistan's steadfast support on issues of their concern. They are also generous in acknowledging the significant role of Pakistan in the early 70s, which enabled China to break its isolation from the West and the US.

Diplomatic relations

Diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China were established on 21 May, 1951. The 50th Anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations this year is an occasion of great significance both in historic terms as well as for a strong public manifestation of the durability and the strength of Pak-China relations. A series of high level exchanges, hallmark of which is Premier Zhu Rongji's visit to Pakistan on 11-14 May, 2001 and President of Pakistan's visit to China later this year as part of the commemorative events for the golden jubilee celebrations. In addition, high profile cultural and business activities would be undertaken, including Pakistan's participation in the Beijing International Trade Fair in April 2001, civil awards for Chinese nationals in recognition of their contribution to Pak-China friendship and cooperation in various fields issuance of first day covers/commemorative stamps to mark the occasion. To mark the 50th Anniversary of Pak-China Friendship, Pakistan Post Office is issuing a set of 3 commemorative postage stamps on May 12, 2001. As a part of Golden Jubilee Celebrations, Pakistan and China, Pakistan Post Office will be issuing First Day of Issue covers with the stamps of the 2 respective countries duly pasted. Pakistan and China will further be celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Pak-China friendship by releasing First Day of Issue Covers simultaneously at Beijing and Islamabad on May 21. Special ceremonies will be held in the respective capitals to mark the release of First Day of Issue Covers containing postage stamps of the respective countries on both the First Day Covers duly defaced with special postmarks of 21 May, 2001.

Cultural relations

The renowned Chinese painter Professor Yao Youduo and his famous paintings titled, "Two Pakistani Women Drawing Water" and "Ma Gu's Birthday Offering" are notable as a sign of close relations between the two countries. The two paintings of the renowned Chinese national painter are reproduced in se tenant format. He is universally acknowledged as an artist of humanity and poetic beauty. Youduo is head of the second studio of Chinese Painting Department at Central Academy of Fine Arts, Beijing China and is a master of the Eastern tradition and he uses the brush with great skill to create line drawings, shading, perspective, texture color and a unified composition. The artist has a special feeling for Minority Peoples of China, and many of these women and Children are from the Dai nationality. There is one beautiful and powerful painting of two Pakistani Village Women drawing water from the stream. They are strikingly beautiful, strong, and confident. Yet shy and suspicious of being observed. The composition is Chinese but the feel is oriental. He is said to be a genius "could capture these emotions". Professor Kayama Matazo of Tokyo University of Fine Arts has hailed Yao as the "Contemporary master painter and a rising star of Chinese Painting". Pakistan Post takes great pride in the reproduction of his majestic paintings.

Timeline

Chinese President Hu Jintao, making the first visit to Pakistan by a Chinese president in a decade, promised to bolster his country's ties with its old ally to a new level.Following are some of the most important events in relations between the two neighbours.: 1950 - Pakistan becomes third non-communist country, and first Muslim one, to recognize China.: 1951 - Beijing and Karachi establish diplomatic relations.: 1962 - The Sino-Indian War erupts, providing new opportunities for Pakistan's relations with China.: 1963 - China and Pakistan reach first formal trade agreement.: 1963 - China and Pakistan reach border agreement.: 1965 - China supports Pakistan diplomatically in war with India, as it does again in 1971 against Bangladesh.: 1965 - In response to war with India, U.S. cuts military support to Pakistan. China soon becomes Pakistan's principal arms supplier.: 1970 - Pakistan helps U.S. make contacts with China that result in visit to China by then U.S. National Security Adviser Henry Kissinger in 1971.: 1978 - Karakoram Highway linking mountainous Northern Pakistan with Western China officially opens.: 1980s - China and U.S. supply help through Pakistan to Afghan guerrillas fighting Soviet occupational forces.: 1986 - China and Pakistan reach comprehensive nuclear Co-operation Agreement.: 1996 - Chinese President Jiang Zemin pays state visit to Pakistan.: 1999 - A 300-megawatt nuclear power plant, built with Chinese help in Punjab province, is completed. China is helping to build a second 300-megawatt nuclear plant due to be finished by 2010.: 2001 - A joint-ventured Chinese-Pakistani tank, the MBT-2000 (Al-Khalid) MBT, comes into full production.: 2002 - Chinese Vice Premier Wu Bangguo attends ground-breaking ceremony for Pakistan's Gwadar deep-sea port. China provides $198 million for $248 million joint project.: 2007 - Sino-Pakistani joint-ventured multirole fighter aircraft - JF-17 Thunder (FC-1 Fierce Dragon) is formally rolled out. 2008, Pakistan starts mass production of the aircraft.:2008 - China warns US of war against Pakistan, during which former President Pervez Musharaf visits China, Musharaf raised issues of US attacks inside Pakistan. At the end of the tour China warned against any attack on Pakistan: :Musharaf becomes the first to openly criticize the Wests opposition of Tibet calling it "political" saying: :Pakistan's foreign office (the first foreign issue to speak of Tibet) speaks for more than 3 times per month on the Tibet issue, calling for the world to stop opposing China and the Olympic games.:Pakistan welcomes China's Olympic torch warmly. Pakistan became the first country not to protest against Tibet when the torch arrived. China as a result thanked Pakistan for its continous support.:2008 China and Pakistan sign an FTA free trade agreement. It is the first such agreement signed by the two countries. As a direct result China will open new industries in Pakistan and Pakistan would be offered free trade zones in China.:2008 China vows to help Pakistan in civil nuclear technology by building and helping in the Khusab Nuclear Programme provding technology to Pakistan for better maintaince of civil nuclear plants.:2008 Pakistan and China to build first ever train routes near Karakrum Highway.

ee also

*Sino-Indian War

External links

* [http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSISL9262520061124 CHRONOLOGY-Main events in Chinese-Pakistani relations] ---REUTERS