THE Chinese government affirms its support for Pakistan to eradicate terrorism.
“China will continue to support Pakistan in fighting terrorism,” said Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian at a press conference in Beijing, on Monday (11/11).
Previously, on October 6 2024, there was a suicide attack near Jinnah International Airport in Karachi, Pakistan which resulted in the deaths of two Chinese nationals.
The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), a banned group that previously targeted Chinese nationals in Pakistan, claimed responsibility for the attack.
“We are steadfast in our commitment to protecting the safety and security of Chinese citizens, projects and institutions overseas,” Lin Jian added.
China and Pakistan, said Lin Jian, have the determination and capability to thwart any attempts to harm Sino-Pakistan relations and ensure that terrorists will pay the price.
“Terrorism is a common enemy of mankind, it is the international community’s shared responsibility to fight terrorism and prevent tragedies from happening again,” said Lin Jian.
Lin Jian also said that China and Pakistan were strong strategic cooperation partners.
“Our strong friendship is deeply rooted among our people. Attempts to undermine mutual trust and cooperation between the two countries will not succeed,” said Lin Jian.
China, Lin Jian said, will continue to support Pakistan in developing its economy and society and improving people’s lives.
“We will firmly implement cooperation with Pakistan in various fields for the benefit of both nations,” said Lin Jian.
Previously, on November 9 2024, at least 26 people were killed and dozens of others were injured due to a bomb explosion at a train station in the capital of Balochistan Province, Quetta.
Pakistan has been hit by 785 terrorist attacks during the first 10 months of 2024, resulting in 951 deaths and 966 injuries. October 2024 became the second deadliest month in 2024 as the number of victims increased to 198 people.
The dead included 98 terrorists, 62 security officers and 38 civilians.
The attacks reflect continuing high levels of violence across the country, according to a report by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies, an Islamabad-based strategy body.
The BLA group itself accuses China of exploiting mineral-rich resources in the southwestern province of Balochistan.
Balochistan Province is the largest province in Pakistan and borders Iran and Afghanistan. The region has a strategic position due to its rich reserves of copper, zinc and natural gas.
The province is also an important route in the mega project worth 64 billion US dollars (around IDR 1 quadrillion), namely the Pakistan-China Economic Corridor (PCEC).
The corridor aims to connect China’s strategic northwestern Xinjiang Province with the port of Gwadar in Balochistan through a network of roads, railways and pipelines for the transportation of cargo, oil and gas.
Balochistan separatists, especially the BLA, which is suspected of being involved in the recent kidnapping and killing of Chinese workers, oppose the project. (Ant/Z-6)
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In what ways do you think China’s commitment to supporting Pakistan in combating terrorism can impact the safety of Chinese nationals involved in CPEC projects and the overall bilateral relationship?
**Interview with Dr. Saba Qureshi, International Relations Expert**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Qureshi. The recent statements from the Chinese government affirming support for Pakistan in fighting terrorism have drawn significant attention. What are your thoughts on China’s commitment?
**Dr. Qureshi:** Thank you for having me. China’s commitment to supporting Pakistan in combating terrorism is crucial, especially after the troubling incidents we’ve seen, such as the suicide attack in Karachi that claimed the lives of two Chinese nationals. It shows a solid backing of bilateral relations, but it also highlights the ongoing threat that terrorist groups pose not just to Pakistan, but to foreign nationals working on CPEC projects as well.
**Editor:** The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) has claimed responsibility for the attack you mentioned. How do you see this affecting the security dynamics in the region?
**Dr. Qureshi:** The BLA’s actions significantly complicate the security landscape. Their history of targeting Chinese nationals reflects a growing resentment towards foreign investments in Pakistan, predominantly linked to China. This not only threatens ongoing projects but also risks straining the relationship between China and Pakistan if safety cannot be assured. It’s imperative that both nations cooperate closely to address these security challenges.
**Editor:** Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian mentioned that ”terrorism is a common enemy of mankind.” In your view, do you think this sentiment resonates with the international community’s response to terrorism?
**Dr. Qureshi:** Absolutely. Framing terrorism as a global threat fosters a sense of shared responsibility. However, the international community must move beyond rhetoric and take actionable steps that reflect this commitment. While nations like China and Pakistan can bolster bilateral support, there needs to be a broader, coordinated approach to combatting terrorism globally.
**Editor:** Lin Jian also emphasized the importance of strategic cooperation and deep-rooted friendship between China and Pakistan. How vital is this relationship as Pakistan encounters these security challenges?
**Dr. Qureshi:** The China-Pakistan relationship is pivotal, especially at this juncture. Solid backing from China not only provides economic stability through investment but also strengthens Pakistan’s standing in global forums. As both countries face common threats, their strategic cooperation will be essential in facilitating joint operations and intelligence sharing against terrorism.
**Editor:** Thank you, Dr. Qureshi, for your insightful analysis. It will be interesting to see how these developments unfold in the coming months.
**Dr. Qureshi:** Thank you for the opportunity to discuss this important issue.
