Security cooperation between China and Pakistan: Achievement, Threat and Prospect.

Byline: You li and Yin Changhui

In discussion of the all-weather solidarity between China and Pakistan, it is necessary to explore the strategic ties between the two countries' militaries. On July 19, 2018, General Zhang Youxia, Vice Chairman of China's Central Military Commission met with Air Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan, Chief of the Pakistan Air Force. Two months later, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff Qamar Javed Bajwa. Xi and Zhang both highlighted the relationship between China and Pakistan, and reiterated that they are "all-weather strategic cooperative partners".

True, China and Pakistan have expressed their sincerity to strengthen the close consultation and coordination, to deepen their defense and security cooperation in various fields, and vowed to promote the relations between the two militaries to a new high level. To look into the past, it can be found that the military security cooperation between China and Pakistan have been built upon a long history and a solid foundation. China once indicated that if Pakistan were threated, China would not stand aside and do nothing idly. When Pakistan got threatened by the neighbor which successfully conducted a nuclear test, China signed mutual defense agreement with Pakistan, and then established the joint military commission.

China provided financial assistance and technical support for the establishment of national defense system of Pakistan. As for the military communication and cooperation, China and Pakistan together conducted military maneuvers many times, for example, Chinese navy participated in AMAN joint naval drill conducted by Pakistan in 2007, and the Shaheen SinoPakistan joint military exercise in 2011. The military security cooperation between China and Pakistan have mainly concentrated on the traditional security issues. When coming into the 21 st century, terrorist activities have done great harm to the security of states and regional peace.

In the process of the construction of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the local terrorists of Pakistan constitute great threat to the promotion of the projects. For dealing with the new security challenges and promoting the economic cooperation, China and Pakistan have taken various measures, including intelligence sharing, the extradition of terrorist suspects and anti-terrorism military drills. In addition, during the 17 th Head of State Summit...