Research On Sino-Pakistan Friendly Relations In21st Century (2000-2010)

Traditionally, both China and Pakistan are friendly countries. Giving the background that the international system has changed profoundly and great powers have been constantly adjusting their strategies toward South Asia in21st Century, what new progress of the Sino-Pakistan relations has been achieved? How to define the current situation of Sino-Pakistan relations? Why China and Pakistan maintain friendship in a long-term? What is the importance of China and Pakistan Continue to consolidate and deepen the friendly relations in the new era? These are the main questions to be addressed in this paper.To position the current Sino-Pakistan relations, it would involve both qualitative and quantitative analysis. As for qualitative analysis, to begin with, by analyzing the arms transfers between China and Pakistan we may find that Sino-Pakistani relations is beyond the so-called "strategic partnership"; Secondly, with clarification of the concept of alliance and the bilateral agreements signed by both sides, we would conclude that China and Pakistan have established the strategic partnership which contains the element of quasi-alliance. On the other hand, quantitative analysis of Sino-Pakistan relations in the period of2000-2010will show an upward trend in Sino-Pakistan relations, as well as a high level of bilateral friendship, which matches the conclusion of qualitative analysis. The important reason of China and Pakistan have been able to maintain a long-term friendly relations is that both countries are adhere to principles of mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, mutual assistance.These principles are core of Declaration on Principles of International Law Concerning Friendly Relations and Co-Operation Among States in Accordance with the Charter of the United Nations.This paper is based on the perspective of the neo-realism paradigm, thus we will elaborate the importance of China and Pakistan continuing to maintain and deepen their friendship in the new situation in the framework of national security interests analysis. To be specific, we will use theories of the balance of power, alliance, and Hegemonic Maintenance, etc, to explore the strategic choice of China, Pakistan, the United States, and India, thereby analyzing from the perspectives of seeking geopolitical balance, dealing with great power politics, and combating the "three forces". Ultimately we would conclude that while traditional security threats still remain, non-traditional security threats have appeared in the new era, China and Pakistan to go further on their traditional friendly and cooperative relations is significant and far-reaching.