Opinion | Why Pakistan is losing its war against anti-Chinese extremism

When a Pakistani think tank hosted a seminar last month, it is likely that no one expected Chinese ambassador Jiang Zaidong to call on Islamabad to improve the security of Chinese nationals in the country, especially at an event marking the People’s Republic of China’s 75th anniversary.

Jiang’s comments were in stark contrast to the typical messaging from Chinese leaders and officials, who have long described the bilateral relationship as one between “iron brothers”. Jiang said it was “unacceptable” that Chinese nationals had been attacked twice in six months. On October 6, two Chinese citizens had been killed in a terrorist attack outside Jinnah International Airport in Karachi.

The dissatisfaction expressed by Jiang was met with surprise by Pakistani foreign ministry spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch. The ambassador’s remarks are a part of a recent departure from China’s usual practice of privately relaying its concerns to Pakistan. After all, Pakistan is not just a neighbour but a strategic partner and part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative. So why has China now chosen to adopt a more vocal stance?

Beijing’s concerns stem from a series of attacks on Chinese nationals by separatist militants in Balochistan and religious extremist group Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Chinese teachers and engineers were killed in these attacks.

For its part, in 2016, Pakistan deployed 15,000 troops for the security of people working on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. Two days before the attack outside the airport, it was reported that Pakistan had approved the allocation of 45 billion Pakistani rupees (US$161.69 million) to the military to strengthen security for Chinese nationals. The government of Punjab province has decided to buy more bombproof vehicles for Chinese workers.