PNN – Deadly attacks against Chinese nationals and interests in Pakistan and Beijing’s uncertainty about Islamabad’s commitment to countering anti-Chinese forces have increased speculations about Beijing’s possible move to send military forces to the country to protect thousands of nationals and projects under its management.
According to the report of Pakistan News Network, The shooting of Chinese nationals in the city of Karachi, Pakistan, which occurred last week, and the suicide attack against the country’s engineers in the same city in the middle of October this year have once again highlighted the challenge of terrorism in the relations between the two countries and the dissatisfaction of the Chinese with the ineffective actions of their Pakistani partners in dealing with such actions.
Serial attacks against Chinese nationals in recent years in Pakistan highlighted the weakness of Islamabad’s security measures and Beijing’s uncertainty regarding the actions of Pakistan’s security and intelligence agencies. In recent months, the media circles in Pakistan have raised the possibility of China’s military presence in Pakistan to directly ensure the security of its citizens and interests.
Only 2 days after the unexpected visit of the Pakistan Army Chief of Staff to Beijing and his meeting with high-ranking Chinese military officials, the Pakistani media are reporting Beijing’s plan to convince Pakistan to agree to the presence of Chinese security forces in its territory.
Pakistan’s English-language Dawn newspaper reported, citing Reuters: China has risen for a stronger security presence in Pakistan, but the Pakistani side is against it and only wants Beijing’s participation to improve Pakistan’s intelligence and surveillance capabilities instead of China’s direct involvement.
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Reuters, citing five Pakistani security and political sources, claimed: In the written proposal sent to Islamabad, Beijing has mentioned the plan to send security institutions and military forces to each other’s territory to help counter-terrorism missions and carry out joint attacks.
In the report of Dawn newspaper, quoting a Pakistani official, it is stated: There will be a discussion about sending Chinese forces to Pakistan, but Pakistan has opposed this proposal.
This report states that recent attacks on Chinese in Pakistan have angered Beijing and forced Pakistan to start formal negotiations for a new and joint security management mechanism. However, Pakistan’s opposition to the presence of foreign military forces is a dispute related to the sovereignty of a country, and Islamabad considers it to be contrary to its territorial integrity and sovereignty.
Dawn newspaper quoted Pakistani officials as saying: Only the Chinese embassy in Islamabad and its consulates are allowed to have official Chinese security personnel. Meanwhile, thousands of Pakistani security forces from the army, police and Special Forces called “Special Protection” have been deployed to protect nationals and joint projects with China in various areas of Pakistan.
Earlier, Lin Jian, the spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said that the relations between the two countries are immune from any threats, while also providing strong support for Pakistan’s anti-terrorism measures.
He said: The two countries are determined and capable to thwart any conspiracy to weaken China-Pakistan relations and punish the terrorists for their actions.
The spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry stated that Beijing and Islamabad are comprehensive strategic partners and long-standing friends with deep-rooted relations and said: No attempt to undermine mutual trust and cooperation between the two countries will succeed, and China will continue to support Pakistan’s economic and social development and improve the lives of its people.