China's Claims

Despite China’s initially hostile approach to foreign policy in the 1960’s, in general, China has demonstrated increasing focus on de-escalation of conflict in Kashmir – reiterating the importance of peaceful negotations to reach a consensus. China has significantly shifted from a more Pro-Pakistan stance. In contrast to its previous neutrality, in the 1960s, China publicly affirmed Pakistan’s stance that the state of Kashmir should be decided by the will of the Kashmiri people, in a China and Pakistan Joint Communique in 1964. In addition to this, the Sino-Pakistan Border Agreement in 1963 made China an active third party in the dispute, furthered by its military involvement in the 1965 Indo-Pakistan war. 

It must be noted that two main factors underlie the historical Chinese interest in protecting Pakistan. Firstly, in the context of the 20th century, particularly during the Cold War era,  nationalist and self-determination movements were booming in China. This included movements in regions like Tibet and Xinjiang, where China's support for Pakistan in the Kashmir issue can be seen partly as an extension of its domestic policy as a means to discourage similar aspirations within its own territories. By supporting Pakistan, a state facing its own challenges with separatist movements, China could present a consistent stance against separatism both domestically and in its foreign policy. Secondly, alliance with Pakistan allows for a strategic counterbalance against India, especially since India was a Soviet Union ally at the time – a huge rival to China. Especially after the strained relations caused by the Sino-Indian War of 1962, supporting Pakistan became a way for China to create a strategic buffer against India, and thus, the Soviet Union. 

Deng Xaoping’s term in China, prioritizing economic free-trade and liberalization, represented a paradigm shift in this relationship. By the early 1980s, Deng emphasized that Kashmir was primarily a matter for India and Pakistan to resolve through peaceful bilateral discussions – departing from China’s previous support of Pakistan’s position. This transition also reflected a broader trend in Chinese foreign policy, which increasingly advocated for dialogue and negotiation as the preferred methods for addressing international disputes, which became a key facet to China’s approach to the conflict in the following years. During crises, China has urged Pakistan and India to respect the Line of Control (LOC) and resume negotiations. 

China’s involvement in Pakistan has been shifted to be driven by economic interest, sometimes involving heavily criticised investments. China is planning to invest $46 billion in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) – a move that could shift the dynamics of longstanding high-value trade relationships between China and India. This CPEC invests in the area of Kashmir administered by Pakistan. From the Chinese perspective, the investment in CPEC and the Kashmir region as a route between Central and South Asia is crucial to the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative, leading to a high strategic importance for China and resultant protests to India.

However, during the 2020 Galwan Valley clashes, China's actions were more assertive, as part of a broader pattern of Chinese assertiveness along its peripheries given increasing geopolitical tension. This incident marked a significant departure from China's previous approach of maintaining a low profile in its border disputes, and took a more interfering approach to the border conflict – potentially undermining its claims of neutrality​​. This has been furthered by China’s intervening Pro-Pakistan actions in the UN, such as blocking efforts in the UN sanctions committee to take action against Zaki-ur Rehman Lakhvi, who India identifies as a mastermind of the Mumbai attacks in 2008, and thus shielding Pakistan from international censure. More informally, Chinese officials have also expressed their sympathies for Pakistan with Li Keqiang stating that China will “support Pakistan and will speak for Pakistan at every forum."