Sino-Pakistan Relations During Cold war Era: A Historical Perspective

Abstract

The intention and purpose of this research is to understand the nature of relationship between two neighboring countries, whose political system are juxtapose to each other. Pakistan is the only country in the world, which is established on the name of Islam and which is an Islamic Republic. China, on the other hand, is a Communist nation and has no belief in God (As far as political system is concerned). Chinese considered religion anathema to political and economic development and Pakistanis, during the Cold War, considered Chinese as ‘Godless Society’ This study is the historical perspective and it seeks to analyze the growth of relationship between the two countries, which were opposed to each other in their initial days, ambivalent in mid-fifties and then forged a strong relationship, which is considered as higher than mountains, deeper than the ocean, stronger than steel and sweeter than honey. President Xi Jinping, during his visit to Pakistan in April, 2015, had called Pakistan as “Iron Brother” which means a friend who is firm and solid as iron. Calling a friend “Iron Brother” is the highest praise and affection that can be expressed for a friend in Mandarin. The use of this phrase for Pakistan by President Xi Jinping simply shows that China attaches the highest importance to Pakistan-China friendship in the conduct of its foreign policy. There is no doubt that these friendly sentiments are fully reciprocated by Pakistani people and government. Over the past several decades, Pakistan-China cooperation in political, security, economic, commercial, and cultural fields has followed an upward trajectory. Both sides recognize the need to deepen this cooperation even further. The strong foundation of friendship, which was evolved in early sixties, strengthened in seventies and eighties and passed through all the trials and tribulations of the Cold War era. This time-tested friendship is an example for all the developing and developed countries. It can rightly be said in 21st century that China is Pakistan’s America and Pakistan is China’s Israel. However, the researcher has tried his level best to answer the following questions in this study; 1- How does Pakistan start to establish its diplomatic ties with China and United States as, it has been facing the initial difficulties and extortions to the security of Pakistan? 2- How does Pakistan face the early ups and downs in Sino-Pakistan relations? 3- What are the events which compel the then President, General Muhammad Ayub Khan to bring out a specific transformation in China-Pakistan Relations? 4- What are the ambiances and surroundings under which Pakistan predisposes towards China in 1970s? 5- Has the then President, General Muhammad Zia Ul Haq stood successful in establishing the close relations with both of the states, China and United States, simultaneously?