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May 24, 2011 Special Dispatch No. 3861

Deepening Involvement by China in Pakistani Military Affairs - Reports from the MEMRI South Asia Studies Project Blog

May 24, 2011
Pakistan, , China | Special Dispatch No. 3861

Following are blog posts relating to China from the MEMRI South Asia Studies Project. For a daily update, please visit www.memri.org/sasp:

China Warns U.S.: 'Any Attack On Pakistan Would Be Construed As An Attack On China'

"China has warned in unequivocal terms that any attack on Pakistan would be construed as an attack on China," according to a Pakistani daily. A report in the Pakistani daily The News on the visit of Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani to China noted, "Beijing has advised Washington to respect Pakistan's sovereignty and solidarity and this was formally conveyed to the United States at last week's China-U.S. strategic dialogue and economic talks."

To read in full, visit http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/37711.htm.

Editorials in Pakistani Dailies Examine Pakistan's Deepening Alliance with China as a Counterweight against U.S. and India

Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani took a four-day trip to China from May 17-20, 2011. Although the visit was planned much earlier to mark the 60 years of Pakistan-China friendship, it acquired unprecedented importance in international relations following the May 1 killing of Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in a unilateral U.S. operation in Pakistan's Abbottabad city.

To read in full, visit http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/37813.htm.

Indian Defense Minister Expresses Concern Over Growing China-Pak Defense Ties

Indian Defense Minister A. K. Antony has said that India views the growing defense ties between China and Pakistan with "serious concern," according to an Indian website. He also said that India will have to enhance its own defense capabilities to meet the growing challenge from the China-Pakistan defense ties, according to a report on the website www.dnaindia.com.

To read in full, visit http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/37796.htm.

China Says Pakistan Will Not Be Left In The Lurch

Jia Qinglin, the chief of the Chinese apex political advisory body, declared yesterday that Pakistan will never be left in the lurch and the strategic cooperation between the two countries will be taken to new heights, according to a Pakistani daily. "No matter how the global situation may change, the resolve and determination of the government and the people of China in developing its friendly relations with Pakistan will never be swayed," Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) chairman Jia Qinglin said at a reception held in honor of Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani.

To read in full, visit http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/37746.htm.

Report: China Will Immediately Provide 50 JF-17 Thunder Warplanes To Pakistan

China will immediately provide 50 JF-17 Thunder warplanes to Pakistan, according to a Pakistani daily.

According to a report in the Dawn newspaper, an unidentified Pakistani official said, "We will get these planes in weeks." Pakistan and China are already jointly producing the JF-17 aircraft, but these 50 warplanes will be equipped with more sophisticated avionics, he said, adding that the war planes will be fully funded by China and will help bolster Pakistan's defense.

To read in full, visit http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/37737.htm.

Report: Pakistan's Fourth Nuclear Reactor, Low-Yield Nuclear Weapons Worry India

Pakistan, which inaugurated its third nuclear reactor recently, is focused on building low-yield, tactical nuclear weapons which it can use in case of skirmishes at the border with India, according to an Indian website. Pakistan is building its fourth reactor at the Khushab military facility and Pakistan now has the capability to add eight to 10 such nuclear weapons in its kitty every year, according to a report in The Times of India daily. "The figure is likely to go up considerably once the new reactor becomes operational in less than two years. Latest satellite images revealed recently that Pakistan has expedited work on the fourth reactor, a plutonium producing facility," it said.

To read in full, visit http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/37745.htm.

Pakistani PM: Pakistan Determined To Forge Close Economic Integration With China

Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said in Beijing yesterday that Pakistan is determined to take all necessary measures for closer economic integration with China, according to a Pakistani daily. Gilani, who began a four-day landmark visit to China on May 10, signed a series of military and economic cooperation agreements with China.

To read in full, visit http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/37743.htm.

Indian Army Chief Presents Three-Point Plan To Counter China

Indian Army chief General V. K. Singh has presented a three-pronged strategy to counter China's growing presence in the Tibet Autonomous Region and its recent activities in Pakistani Kashmir, according to an Indian website. According to a report on the website of the India Today weekly magazine, the proposal came at a recent meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that was attended by the army chief as well as top bosses of the Indian security establishment.

To read in full, visit http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/37710.htm.

Chinese Premier: 'China And Pakistan Will Remain Forever Good Neighbors, Good Friends'

Amid deteriorating U.S.-Pakistan relations, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao today assured Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani of China's "all-weather friendship," according to a Pakistani daily. "I wish to stress here that no matter what changes might take place in the international landscape, China and Pakistan will remain forever good neighbors, good friends, good partners and good brothers," Wen Jiabao told Gilani, who began a four-day trip to China from Tuesday.

To read in full, visit http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/37680.htm.

Pakistan Prime Minister Launches Third Nuclear Plant

Pakistan's third nuclear electric power plant went operational yesterday, according to a Pakistani daily. The plant will pump another 330MW into the national electricity grid in a bid to help meet the country's growing energy demand, according to a report in the Daily Times newspaper. Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani inaugurated the Chashma Nuclear Power Plant Unit-1 (CHASNUPP-2), located near Chashma Barrage on the left bank of River Indus, 32 kilometres south of the town of Mianwali.

To read in full, visit http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/37533.htm.

Report: China Opposed To Sri Lanka's Economic Partnership With India

China is opposed to Sri Lanka's Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with India, according to a Sri Lankan website. An unidentified official, who is engaged in CEPA negotiations, revealed that the Chinese opposition to CEPA is delaying the signing of the agreement.

To read in full, visit http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/37835.htm.

Report: Indian Intelligence Confirms Chinese Troops Present In Pakistani Kashmir

Indian intelligence agencies now have credible evidence of their own that several hundred Chinese troops are based in Pakistani side of Jammu & Kashmir, according to an Indian daily. Earlier, international media reports had stated that over 11,000 Chinese troops are based in Gilgit Baltistan, an ethnically different region that had traditionally been part of Jammu & Kashmir. Now, this is for the first time that the Chinese troops are reported to be in main part of Kashmir.

To read in full, visit http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/37833.htm.

National Assembly Speaker: Pakistan, China Have Stood Together As Neighbors And Friends

Faisal Karim Kundi, the Acting Speaker of Pakistan's National Assembly, Monday said that friendship between Pakistan and China is based on principles and natural understanding, according to a Pakistani website. He made the statement during a meeting with Charge d' Affairs of the Embassy of China, Huang Xilian in Islamabad. The relationship between Pakistan and China represent a model for co-existence with different ideologies, political systems and cultural backgrounds, Kundi said.

To read in full, visit http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/37832.htm.

Indian PM Reviews Security Threat From Pakistan, China

A day after Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief Lt.-Gen. Shuja Pasha threatened India, India on Monday carried out a comprehensive review of its security preparedness amidst reports of the presence of Chinese soldiers in Pakistani Kashmir, according to an Indian daily. During an in-camera briefing in the Pakistani parliament, Lt.-Gen. Shuja Pasha had warned India against any operation like that of the U.S. act to kill Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad.

To read in full, visit http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/37831.htm.

Kashmiri Writer Examines the Strategic Implications of China's Military Presence in Kashmir Region

In February and March 2011, Kashmiri writer Dr. Shabir Choudhry delivered two lectures in the British parliament on the issue of China's growing role in Gilgit Baltistan, an ethnically different region that has been traditionally considered as part of Jammu & Kashmir state. The state of Jammu & Kashmir is divided between Pakistan and India by a Line of Control (LoC), with the Pakistan-administered Kashmir known as Azad (Free) Jammu & Kashmir.

To read in full, visit http://www.memri.org/legacy/report/5212.

Pakistani Ambassador: Pakistani PM To 'Naturally Exchange Views' With China On Regional Stability

Masood Khan, Pakistan's Ambassador in Beijing, said that during his visit to China Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani will ''naturally exchange views on peace and stability in the region" in the aftermath of the killing of Osama bin Laden, according to a Chinese website. Noting that ''the threat of terrorism has not been eliminated,'' Khan said that China and Pakistan are expected to make concerted efforts to counter terrorism, strengthen their economic and trade cooperation. Gilani's four-day visit to China starts on Tuesday.

To read in full, visit http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/37829.htm.

Pakistani PM: 'We Are Proud To Have China As Our Best And Most Trusted Friend'

Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that the friendship between Pakistan and China is an anchor of peace and stability and both countries will further strengthen their relations, according to a Pakistani daily. Speaking at an event to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Pak-China diplomatic relations at the Pakistan-China Friendship Centre in Islamabad, he said that a sincere friendship and deep affection marked the bilateral relationship.

To read in full, visit http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/37371.htm.

After Bin Laden's Killing, China Backs Pakistan's Stability

China today suggested it feared serious instability in Pakistan following the killing of Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden and would support the Pakistani government to the hilt, according to an Indian website. "[The] Pakistani government is firm in its resolve and strong in action in the fight against terrorism, and made an important contribution to the war on terrorism," Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu told reporters.

To read in full, visit http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/37171.htm.

China Offers Pakistan $1.7 Billion In Loan For Lahore's Train System

The Export-Import Bank of China will give Pakistan a loan of $1.7 billion for the development of a train system in Lahore, according to a Pakistani daily. Khawaja Ahmed Hassan, chairman of the Lahore Transport Company (LTC), who confirmed the report, said that the 15-year loan will be disbursed in the next five years.

To read in full, visit http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/37018.htm.

Top Pakistani Diplomat Visits China, Seeks Realignment Of Pakistan's Foreign Relations

Salman Bashir, a top Pakistani diplomat, is on a two-day trip to Beijing beginning today to boost Pakistan-China relations as Pakistan's relations with the U.S. are rapidly deteriorating, according to a Pakistani daily.

Salman Bashir, the Pakistani Foreign Secretary (not the foreign minister) will hold discussions with the Chinese leadership on bilateral, regional and international issues, according to a report in The Express Tribune daily.

To read in full, visit http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/37016.htm.

In Beijing, Pakistani Leader Urges China, Iran To Help Find A 'Regional Solution' Of Afghan Issue

Mian Shahbaz Sharif, Chief Minister of the influential Pakistani province of Punjab, has said that China and Iran should play their role in arriving at a ''regional solution'' of the Afghan issue, according to an Urdu-language daily. Sharif's statement comes as almost the entire Pakistani leadership, including Pakistan Army chief General Ashfaq Kayani, visited Kabul last Saturday to forge bilateral relations with Afghanistan.

Addressing the members of the ruling Communist Party of China in Beijing, Shahbaz Sharif also said that Pakistan should abandon its previous Afghan policy and leave the Afghan people to decide their fate, according to a report in the Urdu-language daily Roznama Islam.

To read in full, visit http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/36765.htm.

Harvard Scholar Elected As Dalai Lama's Political Heir, To Lead Tibetan Government In Exile

Lobsang Sangay, a 42-year-old Harvard scholar, has been elected by Tibetans across the world as the new Prime Minister of Tibet's government-in-exile, which has its base in the Indian town of Dharamsala, according to an Indian daily. The results of the elections to the 44-seat Tibetan Parliament and Kalon Tripa (Prime Minister) were declared on Wednesday after completion of the counting of votes and compilation of the reports received from 56 regional election commissions, according to a report in The Indian Express daily.

To read in full, visit http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/37828.htm.

Indian Army General Warns Of Chinese Military Threat In Kashmir

Lt.-General K. T. Parnaik, a top Indian Army general, has warned that India faces a threat from the Chinese troops in Pakistani Kashmir who could be moved along the Line of Control (LoC) that divides Kashmir between Pakistan and India, according to an Indian website. Currently, about 11,000 Chinese troops are stationed in Gilgit-Baltistan, an ethnically different part of Pakistani Kashmir.

To read in full, visit http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/36443.htm.

China To Invest $10-15 Billion In Pakistan's Energy Sector

China has offered financial and technical assistance to help develop hydro and wind power in Pakistan and upgrade the existing transmission system, according to a Chinese media report. Cao Guangjing, chairman of the Three Gorges Project Corporation (CTGPC), China's pioneer in hydro power development, said that the CTGPC will invest $10 billion to $15 billion in Pakistan.

To read in full, visit http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/36440.htm.

China Defends Its Nuclear Cooperation With Pakistan

China, which is building two nuclear reactors in Pakistan, has defended its civil nuclear cooperation with Pakistan, according to a Pakistani website. According to report on the website of The News daily, China reiterated that its civil nuclear cooperation with Pakistan is consistent with international obligations and under the umbrella of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

To read in full, visit http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/35967.htm.

China Announces $19 Million Aid To Nepalese Army

On his trip to China, the Chinese Army chief announced a whopping US$19 million in aid to the Nepalese Army to build a hospital, according to an Indian website. People's Liberation Army (PLA) of China head Chen Bingde announced the highest assistance provided so far by China to Nepal Army for constructing an Army hospital, according to a report on the Indian website ibnlive.com.

To read in full, visit http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/35966.htm.

China Linking Highways, Military Units To Indian Border

China has constructed roads from its major highways and defense installations to all strategic passes and military units along its border with India, according to an Indian website. The Indian defense ministry said in a report that as many as 37 roads have been constructed to key passes and military units along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) along the border with India's northeastern states.

To read in full, visit http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/35965.htm.

Chinese Envoy: Agreements With Pakistan To Have 'Good Bearing' On The Region

Liu Jian, the Chinese Ambassador in Pakistan, has said that the recent multi-sectoral agreements between Pakistan and China will have "good bearing" on the development in the South Asian region, according to a Pakistani website. Speaking in Lahore after the signing of an agreement on hybrid seed cooperation, the Chinese envoy said that it was sign of a deep friendship that many agreements were reached by the two countries during the past few years.

To read in full, visit http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/35962.htm.

Pakistani Cabinet Gives Nod To Purchase Six Chinese Submarines

The Pakistani cabinet yesterday gave their approval to a proposal to purchase six submarines from China, according to a Pakistani daily. The defense ministry proposal was cleared by the cabinet to purchase six state-of-the-art submarines to boost Pakistan's underwater warfare capabilities, according to a report in The Frontier Post.

To read in full, visit http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/35513.htm.

Jamaatud Dawa Chief Urges Muslim Nations To Emulate Chinese Diplomatic Stance On Kashmir

Hafiz Muhammad Saeed, Emir of the Pakistani jihadist organization Jamaatud Dawa, has lauded China for issuing "stapled visas" - rather than stamped ones - to residents of India's Jammu & Kashmir state, according to an Urdu-language daily. Jamaatud Dawa is the charity arm of Pakistani terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba. Saeed said that Kashmiris look at such acts with great esteem and demanded of the Muslim rulers to show such courage for librating Kashmir from India.

To read in full, visit http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/35249.htm.

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