The Pentagon’s assessment this week that Pakistan may be set to host a Chinese military base is likely to have caused more of a commotion in New Delhi than in Islamabad. The fact is that Pakistan has provided strategic defense facilities to China for some time; indeed, such provision is key to the US$57 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Sources privy to the facts of Pakistan’s defense arrangements told Asia Times that China’s military has long made use of facilities in Pakistan in return for helping to deliver the latter’s maiden JF-17 Thunder fighter jet, its Burraq armed drones and custom AIP-equipped submarines.
The Pentagon’s Annual Defense Department Report, released on Tuesday, said that “China most likely will seek to establish additional military bases in countries with which it has a longstanding friendly relationship and similar strategic interests, such as Pakistan.” China was quick to repudiate the US assertions, labelling them, on Wednesday, “irresponsible remarks about China’s national defense development.” A foreign ministry spokesperson said: “The friendly cooperation between China and Pakistan does not target any third party.”
A military expert at the School of International Studies in Singapore told Britain’s Telegraph newspaper he would not be surprised if China did build an official military base in Pakistan. “The Chinese have helped to build a sizable deep-water port in Gwadar, and Chinese submarines have already been spotted in the port of Karachi,” he said, adding that “even without an actual base, Pakistan provides considerable support to a growing Chinese naval presence in the Indian Ocean Region and is thus part of an important ‘network of access’ for the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy.”
There has been no official reaction on the report from Islamabad – Pakistan’s political and military establishment neither denied nor confirmed the US assessment. Political figures approached by Asia Times also declined to make any comment. However, several said they disapproved of China’s military expansionist designs and warned any such efforts would be counterproductive to the peace and security of the region. They said that in the past there had been strong political opposition to providing bases for US and NATO forces and anticipated the government would have a tough time if it chose to accommodate China in this way.
“Even without an actual base, Pakistan provides considerable support to a growing Chinese naval presence in the Indian Ocean Region and is thus part of an important ‘network of access’ for the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy”
The Pentagon claims are likely to irk India, which already looks askance on China’s Belt and Road project and has been suspicious of Sino-Pakistani cooperation. “The strategic Sino-Pak alliance and the ever-increasing defense cooperation between the two countries has worried New Delhi,” noted the Russian newspaper Vzglyad, adding that “the planned opening of China’s military bases in Pakistan is actually an expansion of Chinese military presence surrounding India.” The newspaper said New Delhi was worried about military maneuvering on its doorstep resulting in aggression towards India.
Islamabad considers China an “all-weather friend” and in recent years the countries have grown closer thanks to CPEC, a Beijing-funded mega infrastructure and energy project that will link western China with Pakistan’s Arabian Sea port of Gwadar. Defense cooperation has also increased, as symbolized by the 90-strong Chinese contingent which participated in the Pakistan Day parade in Islamabad on March 23. In May last year, Pakistan’s former army chief, Gen. Raheel Sharif, paid an official visit to China, meeting Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in Beijing to foster a “military-to-military relationship.”
This relationship is not new: there has been a degree of military exchange between the countries’ armed forces since the 1970s. However defense agreements between the Armed Forces of Pakistan and the People’s Liberation Army have certainly strengthened it in recent years and, for now at last, it shows little sign of weakening.
The headline maintains that the Pentagon report ignores the context, but from the story itself the context would appear to bear the report out in full. Chinese soldiers marching in Islamabad, Chinese submarines in Karachi, a deep-water port, a mega infrastructure project, defence projects… the logical next step is a Chinese base in Pakistan. The Pentagon statement – “China most likely will seek to establish additional military bases in countries with which it has a longstanding friendly relationship and similar strategic interests, such as Pakistan” – does no more than state the obvious.
When you have friends like USA you dont need enemies. History is testimony that USA was never loyal to its allies or friends except its master Israel. Once Iran is done with Pakistan will be the next target of USA. Perhaps USA is pissed off that with Chinese base in Pakistan will put a rod in the running wheel.
I’m tired of divide and rule policy used by USA in on this planet. how awkward it sounds that developing nuke is a threat to USA ? like if there are the only people on this world
If #China has spent $ 100 on #CPEC for ‘RMB Phase’, they have to spend speedily & approximately $ 8 for ‘security’ on $ 100 on every block. Such are the capabilities of #Pakistan. Establishment of RMB Phase is a special threat to indigenous Jihadi Clubs, which function as special micro institutions. China is well aware that ISI is more inclined towards Muslim Country Genesis than RMB Investments. Critically CPEC is not #OBOR, its only belt ‘function’ process & any function depends upon fate of Jihad. CPEC is a special expenditure of China which has no general value.
Pakistan pushthon leader hardliner like Khan from pak army to run Pakistan like Donal tramp before 1970 Pakistan was very strong ,Pak army today also strong the army running country and looking after the people they can do everything’s for you Wake up people Pakistan
I love Pakistan I went run for Pakistan election and I went My people to support Pakistan independent party and looking for support from my country army ( My dream to make Pakistan super power of united state Islam federation of 60/66 country’s( I have the system already build I just started from Pakistan the 8 country including permanent setting mem
Pakistan don’t USA (USA need Pakistan because isi world none because information which Pakistan have isi collecting around the the worldwide that’s what x CIA int said with out Pakistan isi help CIA would lost Pakistan help CIA Long time they forgets what’s Pakistan do USA Pakistan don’t (O) nothing to USA it’s about time that USA pay back Pakistan zindabad
Says the country with almost a thousand military bases around the world, many of them as part of occupational forces with hypocritical /cynical narrative of defending the locals.
Contrary to your stupid belief,China can well afford $8 for security on $100 dollars per block. What takes me here is despite reading your comment several times over, any reasonable minded reader is unable to figure out what the hell
Chinese military bases will not be established in Pakistan. Yes, both the countries have very good relations. Pakistani govt is not naive to allow military bases in the country. Pakistan is capable enough to defend herself with conventional and nuclear weapons. There is no urgent threat to Pakistan’s existence, therefore why Pakistani govt will allow Chinese military bases. I think Pentagon is wrong in it’s assessment.
USA need to look in a mirror. With hundreds of military bases all over the world, the alarm bells in the free nations of the world has been thunderously clanging for the past few decades.
Jump off a cliff, loser.
Traitor,old man
Here is some food for thought: do we really need central power generation capabilities any more? Renewable energy prices have come down so much that every home can generate power without being on The Grid (a problem loaded, unstable entity). Prices for installed off-grid capability have fallen so much that entire countries can go off grid.
Take USA for example. There are about 56 million single family homes in the US. Off grid installations cost in the range $5000 to $10,000. Take the higher number and multilpy with 56 million = $560 billion, one third thr cost of Iraq war to date, almost equalt to the auditors finding this much unaccounted for, and so on. Make the same investment in each home, and we create millions of new jobs, have the country more secure, rid of transmission towers, remove need for pipelines, drilling, fracking, and end all oil-inspired wars for ever! We have been talking about wars in these comments, this being why I am posting this comment.
I have more at my blog on my website energy-asset.com.
India should openly tie up with Usa by providing naval bases as well air fields to combat evil designs of any invading country
The most likely rationale for Chinese bases in Pakistan would not be a threat to Pakistan’s existence, but a threat to the existence of Chinese-backed infrastructure projects or the lives of their staff. The Suez and Panama canals are cases in point: first came the infrastructure, then came the troops to protect it. Of course, any such bases would be at the "invitation" of Pakistan. If there are too many more attacks on Chinese workers (see the report "Pakistan scrambles to protect China’s ‘Silk Road’ pioneers" immediately to the right of my post), such an invitation may have to be extended.