Relationship dossier
People's Republic of China
Pakistan
Relationship assessment
A close strategic partnership built around economic development, defense cooperation and diplomatic support.
People's Republic of China toward Pakistan
+75China has backed Pakistan through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, financing and building infrastructure and energy projects, and maintaining extensive defense cooperation. Beijing has also supported Pakistan diplomatically, including on issues such as Kashmir. Attacks on Chinese nationals and projects have raised security concerns.
Pakistan toward People's Republic of China
+75Pakistan has facilitated Chinese-backed infrastructure and energy projects through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, cooperated with China on defense and security, and supported Beijing’s One China policy. Pakistan has also undertaken security measures to protect Chinese personnel and projects, though attacks have continued.
Overall relationship
+75The relationship is a durable strategic partnership with substantial economic, defense and diplomatic dimensions. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and longstanding security cooperation anchor ties, while Pakistan’s support for Chinese diplomatic priorities reinforces them. Security risks to Chinese nationals and concerns surrounding project implementation create friction but have not displaced the partnership’s strategic importance.
How to read these scores
Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.
- −100
- Extreme sustained hostility
- −50
- Substantially adversarial
- 0
- Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
- +50
- Substantially cooperative
- +100
- Exceptionally close sustained partnership
“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.
Relationship context
Overview
China and Pakistan maintain a close strategic partnership encompassing economic development, defense cooperation and diplomatic support. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor has driven major Chinese-backed infrastructure and energy projects, while the two governments cooperate on security and military matters. Pakistan has also supported key Chinese positions, including its One China policy. Attacks on Chinese nationals in Pakistan and concerns about project security have tested the partnership without displacing its central role in both governments’ foreign policies.
Areas of tension
- Attacks on Chinese nationals and infrastructure projects in Pakistan have prompted Chinese security concerns.
- Delays, financing pressures and implementation challenges have complicated some China-Pakistan Economic Corridor projects.
Key developments
China-Pakistan Economic Corridor cooperation was launched, initiating a major program of Chinese-backed infrastructure and energy projects in Pakistan.
The two governments upgraded their relationship to an all-weather strategic cooperative partnership and signed a treaty of friendship, cooperation and good-neighbourly relations.
Major uncertainties
- The long-term financing terms and implementation of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor projects continue to evolve.
- The extent to which Pakistan can prevent attacks on Chinese nationals and projects remains uncertain.