Islamabad, October 31, 2024 – Pakistan has expressed surprise at China’s recent statements on the safety of Chinese personnel in the country, calling the remarks “perplexing” and inconsistent with the longstanding diplomatic norms between the two nations.
During a weekly news conference in Islamabad, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mumtaz Baloch emphasized Pakistan’s commitment to protecting Chinese nationals, projects, and institutions operating in the country. Her remarks followed an unusual public warning by Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong, who urged Islamabad to address militant threats after several deadly attacks on Chinese workers. Jiang described the violence as “unacceptable” and cautioned that it could hinder Beijing’s investments through its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
“The statement by the Chinese ambassador is perplexing and does not align with the established diplomatic traditions between Pakistan and China,” Baloch said, adding, “We will continue to work closely with our Chinese brothers to assure them of Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to their safety and well-being.”
Ambassador Jiang, while speaking at a seminar in Islamabad, referenced two recent suicide car bombings, in March and October, which killed seven Chinese personnel. These incidents have raised the death toll of Chinese workers in Pakistan to 21 since the inception of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a decade-old project under the BRI that has brought over $25 billion in Chinese investment to Pakistan. Jiang underscored that “it is unacceptable for us to be attacked twice in just six months” and called on Pakistan to implement “effective remedial measures” to prevent further violence, emphasizing the need to apprehend and punish those responsible.
Pakistan’s public response to China’s security concerns is unusual, as is the Chinese ambassador’s direct criticism of Islamabad’s security protocols. Despite the sensitivity of the matter, Baloch reassured that investigations into recent attacks are ongoing and that findings have been shared with Beijing. The CPEC initiative has led to significant infrastructure development in Pakistan, including roads, highways, primarily coal-fired power plants, and the strategic deepwater Gwadar port on the Arabian Sea. However, with security becoming an increasing concern, Ambassador Jiang reiterated China’s expectation that Pakistan takes swift action against “all anti-China terrorist groups,” highlighting that “security is the biggest concern for Beijing” and that “without a safe environment, nothing can be achieved.”
