China and Pakistan reaffirm ironclad ties that bind them

Move comes after reported good showing of Chinese weaponry in South Asian clash

- Lim Min Zhang

BEIJING — Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Beijing on May 20 and the two men reaffirmed the ironclad friendship binding the two countries, following a four-day crossfire between India and Pakistan earlier in May.

Mr Dar is the first high-level Pakistani official to visit China after the India-Pakistan conflict drew international attention to the reported performance of Chinese fighter jets and missiles, one of the few times they have been tested in actual combat.

Mr Wang told Mr Dar: "As an ironclad friend, China will firmly support Pakistan in safeguarding its national sovereignty and territorial integrity."

In response, Mr Dar said Pakistan hopes to "continue to receive strong support from China in overcoming current difficulties" and in promoting national development, security and stability, said the Chinese Foreign Ministry on May 20, although arms sales were not specifically mentioned.

The reaffirmation of ties was significant as, aside from Turkey and Azerbaijan, there was little support for Pakistan during the conflict with India.

Islamabad will want to reaffirm Beijing's diplomatic and strategic backing, especially as Pakistan faces international scrutiny for its murky role in cross-border terrorist activity, said Dr Sajjan Gohel, international security director at the London-based Asia-Pacific Foundation think-tank.

The reported good showing of Pakistan's China-made weaponry, however, would not necessarily lead to more bilateral arms sales, analysts said.