China expresses growing frustration with Pakistan over security failures in CPEC projects

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): China and Pakistan celebrated a partnership described as "higher than the Himalayas deeper than the ocean sweeter than honey and stronger than steel," a depiction that highlighted the strategic importance of their bilateral ties under President Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The collaboration particularly through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was hailed as transformative with the potential to reshape South Asia’s geopolitics. However by 2024 nearly a decade later the partnership has faced severe setbacks primarily due to Pakistan’s inability to provide adequate security for Chinese nationals and investments. This failure has led to Beijing recalibrating its approach towards Islamabad marking a significant decline in their once-strong ties.

Historically Pakistan and China have maintained close relations despite Pakistan’s alignment with the US-led Western bloc during much of the Cold War. Under Xi Jinping economic cooperation flourished with CPEC emerging as a flagship project of the BRI contributing over $62 billion in investments. Yet, despite this promising start the relationship has deteriorated in recent years due to Pakistan’s economic mismanagement and recurring insurgent attacks targeting Chinese interests. In October 2024 the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) attacked a convoy of Chinese workers near Karachi killing two engineers. This attack coupled with previous assaults on CPEC projects highlighted glaring security lapses, prompting a rare public rebuke from China’s Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong who demanded swift action from Islamabad to protect its citizens and projects. Earlier in the year, multiple attacks raised alarms about Pakistan’s ability to safeguard critical infrastructure, particularly the Gwadar Port, a key CPEC asset. The March 2024 assault on the Gwadar Port Authority Complex and subsequent attacks on military installations demonstrated Pakistan's security vulnerabilities, leading to growing Chinese frustration.

By March 26, a suicide bombing targeting Chinese workers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa further escalated tensions, with Beijing framing the threats as a "red line." China demanded guarantees from Pakistan, including thorough investigations, accountability, and improved security measures, signaling its growing impatience. The worsening security situation prompted Beijing to delay a planned visit by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in May 2024, demanding a commitment to counterterrorism operations before the trip. Although Sharif visited Beijing in June, the meeting yielded few substantial agreements, underscoring the cooling of bilateral relations. Pakistan eventually launched "Operation Azm-i-Istehkam" in June, aiming to dismantle insurgent networks. However, the ongoing attacks on Chinese interests led Beijing to propose the deployment of Chinese security personnel in Pakistan, a demand that Islamabad resisted but countered with a proposal to establish a security firm with Chinese assistance. Despite these efforts, the persistent attacks on Chinese nationals and projects have eroded trust. Pakistan’s military, preoccupied with internal political challenges, has failed to prioritize the security of Chinese investments, further straining the relationship. This has significant implications for Pakistan’s regional standing, as China, once a key ally, becomes increasingly disillusioned with Islamabad’s inability to fulfill its commitments. The deterioration of Sino-Pakistani relations has broader consequences for regional development, particularly for the Belt and Road Initiative. CPEC, once seen as a game-changer for Pakistan’s economy, now faces serious challenges due to security concerns, and China’s growing reluctance to invest in politically unstable regions raises doubts about the future of similar initiatives.

For Pakistan, the cooling of its relationship with China risks further economic isolation, particularly as it faces internal instability. The failure to secure CPEC projects jeopardizes not only the country’s economic future but also its credibility as a partner in regional development initiatives. In conclusion, the Sino-Pakistani partnership is at a critical juncture. Unless Pakistan addresses its security challenges and restores Chinese confidence, it risks losing a key strategic ally, further destabilizing its already fragile internal landscape. For China, the situation serves as a warning about the risks of investing in politically volatile regions. Both nations must take meaningful steps to address the root causes of their current tensions to ensure the sustainability of their partnership and avoid broader geopolitical consequences.