Sino-Pakistani Relations: Politics, Military and Regional Dynamics

Dr Filippo Boni, Dr Yogesh Joshi

28 April 2020

Sino-Pakistani relations have been at the heart of Asia’s geopolitics in recent years. Since the announcement of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as the “flagship project” of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, the relationship between Islamabad and Beijing has morphed into a multi-dimensional partnership, including both infrastructural and economic components. While a qualitative shift in the bilateral ties has occurred, the military component has retained a key role over the years. This talk unpacks the political and military dynamics behind Sino-Pakistani Relations over the past 20 years, looking at the wider trends in the relationship, as well as at the evolution and implementation of CPEC. Five years since it was officially launched, CPEC has now entered into its second phase, and this talk will discuss the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.