Pakistan and China: Iron Brothers


Pakistan and China share a deep and enduring friendship, often described as brotherhood. The Chinese affectionately call Pakistanis "Batie," which means iron brother, symbolizing the strongest of friendships. Similarly, Pakistanis refer to the Chinese as "Bhai," a term with the same connotation.


The foundation of Pakistan and China’s friendship dates back to the independence days of both nations. Pakistan gained independence in August 1947, while China became the People’s Republic of China on October 1, 1949. Since then, the bond between the two countries has grown stronger, characterized by mutual support and cooperation.



Pakistan China border 


China is one of Pakistan's major allies, serving as its primary weapons supplier and third-largest trading partner. Recently, both nations have agreed to collaborate on enhancing Pakistan's civil nuclear power sector. Pakistan’s foreign policy places a significant emphasis on maintaining close ties with China.

China-Pak Friendship


Key Aspects of Pakistan-China Friendship

  • Diplomatic Relations: Pakistan was one of the first countries to recognize the People's Republic of China, establishing diplomatic relations in May 1951. Over time, this relationship has evolved into an "All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership."

  • Aviation: On April 29, 1964, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) became the first airline from a non-communist country to fly to China, marking a significant milestone in Pakistan-China relations. To commemorate this, the aircraft is now displayed in a museum in Beijing as a symbol of the enduring friendship.

  • Banking: The National Bank of Pakistan was instrumental in introducing the banking system in China, helping pave the way for China’s development into a leader in modern and online banking.

  • Territorial Agreement: In 1963, the Sino-Pakistan Agreement was signed, defining the boundary between China and Pakistan. As part of the agreement, both nations exchanged over 1,942 square kilometers (750 sq mi) of territory, demonstrating their commitment to peaceful coexistence.

  • Military and Economic Support: Since 1962, China has consistently supplied military hardware to Pakistan, including establishing munitions factories, providing technical support, and upgrading existing facilities. In addition, Pakistan recently signed a loan agreement worth 15 billion yuan (USD 2.3 billion) with a consortium of Chinese banks to bolster its economy.
  • Economic Cooperation and CPEC: China’s investment in Pakistan has been substantial, including the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project, which aims to enhance Pakistan’s infrastructure and economic growth, while also strengthening China’s global influence. In November 2016, China announced an additional $8.5 billion investment in Pakistan, including $4.5 billion to upgrade the railway line from Karachi to Peshawar, and $4 billion towards an LNG terminal and transmission lines to address Pakistan’s energy needs.

  • Military Collaboration: In a recent display of this collaboration, Pakistan formally commissioned the first batch of six Chinese J-10C fighter aircraft into its air force, in a ceremony attended by Prime Minister Imran Khan and Pakistan's military leaders.

The examples of mutual assistance and collaboration between Pakistan and China are numerous and difficult to fully capture in detail. However, it is clear that these two nations truly act as iron brothers, supporting each other through thick and thin.