Analysts: China-Pakistan relations face severe test

"Security and Afghanistan issues have put China-Pakistan relations to a severe test in 2025.
According to Voice of America's January 20 report, relations between China and Pakistan deteriorated last year due to security, financial, and political issues. Mushahid Hussain Syed, president of the Pakistan-China Institute in Islamabad, predicts no major turbulence in China-Pakistan relations in the new year. Pakistan will become a UN Security Council member for two years starting January 1, 2025, where close cooperation between Pakistan and China may be demonstrated. However, he noted that some complex issues might affect the warmth of this relationship, particularly security concerns.
Security issues remain the main source of tension in China-Pakistan relations. Canadian analyst, writer, and immigration advocate Aidan Simardone also indicated that security issues are the primary source of tension between Pakistan and China.
He told VOA: "If Pakistan doesn't resolve the killing of more than ten Chinese citizens that have occurred so far, this issue may intensify further in 2025. Pakistan's security issues affect its relationship with China."
Security concerns have caused delays in the so-called "China-Pakistan Economic Corridor" project, with attacks in Pakistan's northwestern and southwestern regions affecting cooperation on corridor-related projects.
The East Turkistan-Pakistan Economic Corridor, a key component of Chinese President Xi Jinping's "Belt and Road" trade initiative, has seen no progress for many years. Analysts indicate that this project will continue to stall until the Pakistani government eliminates threats against Chinese workers involved in construction.
Chinese officials have responded strongly to the killing of Chinese workers in Pakistan, with high-ranking Chinese officials and foreign affairs representatives repeatedly warning Islamabad that China would stop new investments in Pakistan if attacks on Chinese workers and officials continue. If the security situation doesn't improve, this could bring even greater pressure on Pakistan in the future.
Reports indicate that China has strengthened its presence in Afghanistan, including constructing a road in the Wakhan Corridor, which borders East Turkistan.
After NATO forces led by the United States withdrew from Afghanistan in 2021, China established close relations with the Taliban and signed several mining agreements.
China has now built a road through the Wakhan Corridor connecting East Turkistan with Afghanistan's Badakhshan province. This corridor plays a crucial role not only in monitoring and controlling regional threats, including those from the East Turkistan Islamic Party, but also in transporting Afghanistan's mineral resources to China through East Turkistan."