China pledges support for Pakistan in wake of military aid cut

[Cheetah786]

BEIJING: China pledged its support for close ally Pakistan on Tuesday, after the United States announced it would suspend $800 million worth of security aid to Islamabad.

“Pakistan is an important country in South Asia. The stability and development of Pakistan is closely connected with the peace and stability of South Asia,” foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei told reporters.

“China has always provided assistance to Pakistan, helping it improve people’s livelihood and realise the sustainable development of its economy and society. China will continue to do so in the future.”

US President Barack Obama’s chief of staff, William Daley, announced in a television interview on Sunday that the United States had decided to withhold almost a third of its annual $2.7 billion security assistance to Islamabad.

The move has plunged relations between Islamabad and Washington — already rocky after US commandos killed al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in May on Pakistani soil — to a new low.

But it was welcomed by India, which has long accused Pakistan of providing shelter to militant groups and has pushed the global community — the United States in particular — to censure Islamabad.

China, however, is one of Pakistan’s closest allies and is also its main arms supplier — a situation that India has also expressed concern about.

China pledges support for Pakistan in wake of military aid cut – The Express Tribune

 

[Mo12]

We should see how China would cope, helping the WOT with Pakistan.

Could turn out to be a blessing in disguise.

 

[Rafi]

We should see how China would cope, helping the WOT with Pakistan.

Could turn out to be a blessing in disguise.

Unlike the US - the vast majority of the Pakistani public have a positive opinion of China -

 

[EjazR]

Well we all have hard data on US aid to Pakistan for the last 60 years. Both economic and military aid. Lets hope that China can also share its data so that we know how much it is REALLY helping Pakistan.

Sixty years of US aid to Pakistan: Get the data | Global development | guardian.co.uk


Ofcourse only military aid is cut, so I assume Chinese aid will be only for the military as usual and not for the common people.

The US has still not cut civil aid: http://www.usaid.gov/pk/

 

[Mo12]

Unlike the US - the vast majority of the Pakistani public have a positive opinion of China -

Agree, but was talking about the terrorist, they want no other nation interest involved and would cause havoc.

 

[Tshering22]

So now $2 billion would annually flow from Beijing rather than Washington? Interesting development. I wonder how this would tend to work out, regardless of what perceptions the common public has in either countries of each other.

 

[Meengla]

Shahid Javed Burki--a noted economist and journalist--recently (within last few weeks, I think) wrote an article in a Pakistani newspaper, giving a break down of how China has helped Pakistan. His main point was that the Chinese have helped more than any other nation by investing, via soft term loans, in numerous projects inside Pakistan for long term prosperity. According to Burki, in terms of trade-balance or even 'aid', China does pale in comparison to the West but that, according to Burki, is the not full picture.
Burki is no mullah or American hater, btw. He probably thought, given the noise in the media about these matters, to show an alternate viewpoint which may be valid.
PS. People here underestimate the impact of American (and Western) aid/trade/training/technology in Pakistan. Indeed, for the reasons of mutual benefits, American aid has gone a long way in generating economic activity and military strength in Pakistan. This all may be changing NOW that Pakistan refuses to be in the American-Indian camp with regards to regional interests and China.

 

[EjazR]

Unlike the US - the vast majority of the Pakistani public have a positive opinion of China -

That is how it was in the 50s and early60s in Pakistan for the US as well. And briefly during the 80s too.

Positive opinion has to be maintained, it won't last forever.

 

[DV RULES]

Same thread already has created.

http://www.defence.pk/forums/u-s-fo...ans-withdrawing-aid-pakistan.html#post1936601

 

[Rafi]

That is how it was in the 50s and early60s in Pakistan for the US as well. And briefly during the 80s too.

Positive opinion has to be maintained, it won't last forever.

But unlike Pak and America we are neighbors, and our interests are converging and unlikely to diverge for the foreseeable future.

 

[DV RULES]

That is how it was in the 50s and early60s in Pakistan for the US as well. And briefly during the 80s too.

Positive opinion has to be maintained, it won't last forever.

It always necessary to bring US mind on its place, in politics or strategic interests there is no guaranty of your plan's security in future if there is no mutual understanding of each interests. Only NEED decides your present & future.

 

[MM_Haider]

dont know whether we should be happy on this or what! Why the heck these guys dont let us live us on our own and let us be self sustainable. I was very happy that after the US Aid cut our government and army will try to leave the parasitic attitude.. Alas, so sad news!!! & china the meanest friend ever will never buy anything from us instead will try to sell each and everything from needle till services to aircrafts..!!!
May our politician reject all kind of aid by themselves and not make china the PAPA after US.. (ameen)

 

[Guest01]

Somehow when one reads of the commitment of help + other flowery language regarding China's help to Pakistan, one is always left mystefied to the nature of it. So does it now mean that China will give cash handout of 800 Million to Pakistan? Or does it mean that China will sell more arms on soft loans? But the only point is that Pakistani minister (Mukhtar who confused Drones with logistical aircrafts) claimed today that the 800 million was actually for keeping the army on the border so that would mean that it is cash. So will china give cash to Pakistan now?

Why can't it is simple assurance of aid such as China will give X amount to Pakistan in Y years or months etc. There is too much language for clarity!

 

[Cheetah786]

So now $2 billion would annually flow from Beijing rather than Washington? Interesting development. I wonder how this would tend to work out, regardless of what perceptions the common public has in either countries of each other.

Wrong China like a true friend will help with the economy.

 

[Omar1984]

That is how it was in the 50s and early60s in Pakistan for the US as well. And briefly during the 80s too.

Positive opinion has to be maintained, it won't last forever.

Our Northern Areas are attached to China. Pakistan has a border with China. U.S. is on the other side of the planet, and has come and left our region plenty of times in the past. China is not going anywhere. Pakistan and China are both Asian countries.

And China is a friend of Pakistan for over 60 years. Our friendship grew after the Sino-Indo 1962 war, and right now our friendship is at its peak and Pakistan should never let go of this friendship if it knows whats good for itself. This suspension of U.S. aid will just make it easier for Pakistani politicians/military to understand that U.S. is not our real friend. The only real reliable powerful friend we have is China.




By the way, in the 1950's-1980's the only pro-U.S. people were the military, while all political parties and military of Pakistan is PRO-CHINA. And U.S. never invaded Muslim lands in the 1950's-1980's, infact they were helping Muslims fight those who who were trying to occupy Muslim lands (the Soviets).