islamabad: Pakistan has expressed surprise at the statement of Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zedong on security issues. Pak Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said in her statement on Thursday that Ambassador Jiang’s statement does not reflect the healthy diplomatic tradition that has existed between Islamabad and Beijing over the years. Mumtaz Baloch has given this reaction to Jiang’s statement in which he had said that attacks on Chinese in Pakistan are completely unacceptable.
Baloch said in a press conference of the Ministry of External Affairs in Islamabad, ‘Pakistan is fully aware of Beijing’s concern regarding attacks on Chinese citizens. The Pakistani government has also shared documents related to the investigation of the attacks with China. In such a situation, the response from the Chinese Ambassador is shocking and surprising for us. Many leaders and political analysts of Pakistan have also expressed displeasure over the Chinese Ambassador’s comment and called it an insult to their home.
What did the Chinese ambassador say
China’s Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zedong on Tuesday gave a statement on the terrorist attack in Karachi, in which two Chinese citizens were also killed. He said two deadly terrorist attacks within just six months were unacceptable. Pakistan government needs to take action against all anti-China terrorist groups. He further said that security is a major hurdle for the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Without a safe environment nothing will be achieved.
Ambassador Jiang said that China’s President Jinping cares about the safety of his people and puts people’s lives first. He especially cares about the safety of the Chinese people in Pakistan. Every time he meets Pakistani leaders he asks them to take measures to ensure the security of the Chinese people.
China and Pakistan are close allies and the leaders of both the countries have been vowing friendship on various forums. China has also invested heavily in many projects in Pakistan. However, in recent times, attacks targeting Chinese citizens in Pakistan have created tension between the two countries. Chinese citizens have been continuously targeted in Pakistan in the last few months.
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Security Expert on Pakistan-China Diplomatic Relations
Time.news Editor: Welcome to Time.news, today we have the privilege of speaking with Dr. Aisha Rahman, a prominent expert in international relations and security studies. Thank you for joining us, Dr. Rahman.
Dr. Aisha Rahman: Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to be here.
Editor: Recently, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, expressed surprise at comments made by the Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan, Jiang Zedong, regarding security issues and the protection of Chinese citizens in Pakistan. What do you make of this diplomatic friction?
Dr. Rahman: It’s quite telling of the current state of affairs. Ambassador Jiang’s remarks that attacks on Chinese nationals in Pakistan are “completely unacceptable” signal a level of urgency and concern from Beijing. However, Baloch’s response indicates that Pakistan feels defensive about its security measures and the images they project to their close ally.
Editor: Baloch stated that Jiang’s comments did not reflect the “healthy diplomatic tradition” between the two countries. What does this imply about the dynamics of their relationship?
Dr. Rahman: This is a critical point. Historically, Pakistan and China have maintained a strong alliance, often characterized by mutual respect and support. The Foreign Ministry’s response suggests that Pakistan is keen to reaffirm its sovereignty and capabilities in addressing security concerns, rather than appearing as if it’s succumbing to external pressures. They want to foster an image of being a capable partner.
Editor: So, you’re saying it’s almost a balancing act?
Dr. Rahman: Exactly. There’s a careful consideration of national pride and diplomatic ties at play. Pakistan needs to address China’s concerns while also showing its own citizens and international observers that it can manage its internal security without succumbing to outside influence.
Editor: The statement from the Chinese Ambassador highlights a growing concern over security incidents affecting Chinese nationals in Pakistan, which has been an issue for some time. How significant are these security threats to the diplomatic relationship?
Dr. Rahman: Very significant. The safety of foreign nationals—especially from a key ally like China—is of paramount importance for Pakistan. Attacks on Chinese workers and investments directly threaten the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and broader economic cooperation. If Pakistan cannot provide a secure environment for Chinese investments, it could strain the historically strong ties as China may reevaluate the risks versus benefits of its investments.
Editor: In light of this situation, what steps do you think Pakistan might take to appease its ally while preserving its image of security?
Dr. Rahman: Pakistan is likely to ramp up security for Chinese nationals, possibly increasing police presence or security details around Chinese projects. Public messaging will also be important; they may want to publicly share successes in thwarting attacks and improving security measures. Moreover, there could be discussions about deeper military or intelligence cooperation to reassure Beijing that they take these threats seriously.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Rahman. It seems this delicate balance between maintaining sovereignty and ensuring diplomatic friendship will continue to shape Pakistan’s approach to its relationship with China.
Dr. Rahman: Absolutely. As global dynamics shift and new security threats emerge, how Pakistan navigates this partnership will be fascinating to watch.
Editor: We appreciate your insights today. This is an evolving story, and we look forward to hearing your thoughts on future developments.
Dr. Rahman: Thank you for having me. I’ll be keen to keep an eye on how this unfolds.
Editor: And thank you to our audience for tuning in to Time.news. Stay informed with us for further updates on this topic and many others!