Tensions in Sino-Pakistani relations and the Uyghurs in Pakistan (1)

Recently, there have been increasing reports of tension between China and Pakistan, as well as a decline in cooperation between them under the Belt and Road Initiative.
On November 27, 2024, the Lowy Institute’s website, Mutarajm, which monitors the situation of Asian countries, published a report titled “Pakistan-China Diplomatic Relations in Decline and Factor Analysis.” According to the report, forces from Balochistan in Pakistan frequently attack Chinese citizens working for Chinese companies investing in the “One Belt, One Road” project in the region. This has led to a deterioration in relations between the two countries, and slowed down the construction of the “China-Pakistan Economic Corridor,” a multi-billion dollar infrastructure project.
Dr. Erkin Ekrem, an assistant professor at Hacettepe University in Turkey, said that the long-term relationship between China and Pakistan is now at risk if the Pakistani government cannot control the increasing terrorist activities against Chinese citizens in areas such as Balochistan, which could lead to the cessation of economic cooperation projects between the two countries.
On the other hand, Mr. Omar Uyghur, a Uyghur activist in Pakistan, stated that there are currently about two million Chinese citizens working in infrastructure construction with Chinese funding in Pakistan. As the Pakistani economy deteriorated, Chinese companies contracted to carry out construction projects brought in Chinese workers, especially in Balochistan, which resulted in many protests in the region. In light of this situation, attacks on Chinese engineers and workers increased, making it impossible for Chinese citizens in Pakistan to move around without protection from Pakistani police.
A VOA analysis quoted the Pakistani government as rejecting China’s proposal to establish “joint security bodies” with Chinese security personnel to protect security, which led to further tensions between Pakistan and China.
In an interview with VOA on November 15, Dr. Ghulam Ali, deputy director of the Asia Research Center in Hong Kong, said that Pakistan had made great efforts to protect Chinese business interests in the country, but this came at a great economic cost. He added that Pakistan is facing increasing instability due to terrorist activities targeting Chinese citizens, and that the Pakistani army has deployed more than 15,000 soldiers to protect Chinese workers, although the problem is still ongoing.
According to Mr. Omar Uyghur, he pointed out that the Pakistani government is under great pressure to protect Chinese citizens, but it has rejected the Chinese government’s request to send 100,000 Chinese soldiers to protect security, which has contributed to the deterioration of relations between the two countries.
In Dr. Erkin Akram’s opinion, the current deterioration in relations between Pakistan and China is another major setback in the “One Belt, One Road” project, the economic cooperation project championed by Chinese President Xi Jinping 10 years ago.
The “China-Pakistan Economic Corridor” is a key part of this project, and since its implementation began, the number of Chinese workers who have been killed in Pakistan has reached 21 this year. Seven other Chinese citizens were reported killed in car bombings in March and October 2024.
In the next part of our program, we will discuss the situation facing the Uyghurs in Pakistan due to the tensions between China and Pakistan.