China Delivers Advanced Warship To Pakistan. 3 More To Be Delivered By 2021

The first ship of Type-054 class frigate constructed for Pakistan Navy unveiled at the Hudong Zhonghua Shipyard Shanghai, China. Image Credit: Pakistan Navy

Eurasian Times: China Delivers The Biggest-Ever, Most Advanced Naval Warship To Pakistan

While India is struck between countering both its northern and western rivals simultaneously, China and Pakistan’s navies have teamed up and signed another milestone agreement, in which four advanced warships would be delivered to Islamabad.

These ships are highly advanced guided-missile frigates and are the biggest vessels China has ever exported. The first ship was launched on Sunday and is one of the four vessels that Beijing plans to deliver to Islamabad.

According to Chinese media reports, the acquisition of the warships will increase the combat power and operational capabilities of the Pakistani Navy, and by 2021, three more would be supplied.

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More News On China Delivering Its First Of Four Advanced Warships To Pakistan

Pakistan Navy welcomes 'most advanced' warship delivered by China -- Gulf News
Chinese shipyard launches first Type 054 A/P frigate for Pakistan Navy -- Navy Recognition
China sells most advanced warship to Pakistan; 3 more to sail by 2021 -- Hindustan Times
China Launches Advanced Warship For Pakistan Navy -- NDTV

Satellite Images Show Pakistan's Cooperation With China To Build A Submarine Fleet Is Producing Results

The Agosta-90B submarine was moored centrally among the Chinese warships H I Sutton. Includes material © PlanetScope | Acquired through ShadowBreak Intl

Forbes: Satellite Image Shows Pakistani Submarine With Chinese Navy

The Pakistan Navy recently parked one of its submarines in the middle of Chinese Navy warships visiting Karachi. The strong defense ties between Pakistan and China are well reported. Currently the Pakistani Navy is massively growing its submarine branch with eight Chinese-designed Type-039B Yuan Class boats. Parking the sub there shows that the two navies are sharing knowledge as well as hardware.

The presence of the submarine is evident in commercial satellite imagery. It is hard to spot by the untrained eye so it has taken time to confirm it. And we can now be sure that it was a Pakistani sub and not Chinese. I can positively identify the submarine as an Agosta-90B type submarine, which is only operated by the Pakistan Navy. They are known locally as the Hashmat-class.

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WNU Editor: What I find noteworthy in the above article is Pakistan giving the A-OK for a number of Chinese warships to make port at Karachi.

Indian Intelligence: Large Number Of Chinese Troops Are In Pakistan

Image: Pakistan - Sindh - Tharparkar district (Wikipedia).

Zee News: China deploys troops in Sindh, just 90 km away from Indo-Pak border

The CPEC project is around three thousand kilometer long and Pakistan has already deployed 17,000 of its troops for the security of CPEC.

According to a report of Indian intelligence agencies, China has deployed its troops in Sindh region of Pakistan to protect the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

The report noted that China has deployed the troops of People Liberation Army (PLA) for the security of coal mines in Sindh's Thar region. Located in Tharparkar district of Pakistan, Thar region is only 90 kilometers away from Indo-Pak border. Several Chinese projects are going on in Sindh and most of these projects are facing stiff resistance from local people. It seems that China has decided to deploy its troops for securing the CPEC fearing such protests.

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Update: China Deploys Troops Near India-Pak Border to Safeguard CPEC Projects - Reports (Sputnik)

WNU Editor: Apparently the reason for this Chinese military deployment is due to unrest from Pakistani locals to a Chinese development project associated to CPEC, and the inability of Pakistan's security forces to provide protection. If this report is true, this will be the first time that I know of where Pakistan has permitted a large contingent of foreign military forces to be deployed inside their own country to protect an economic project.

Pakistan Appeals To China For Help In Easing Its Tensions With India

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi met with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Beijing today. Photo: Govt of Pakistan Twitter

SCMP: Pakistan appeals to China for help easing conflict with India

* Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi makes late night call to Chinese counterpart Wang Yi as tensions mount in South Asia
* Wang appeals to both sides to ‘exercise restraint’ to prevent tensions escalating

Pakistan has approached China to mediate in its conflict with India, saying it hopes Beijing can play a constructive role in easing the tensions.

The request was made late Wednesday night in a phone call from Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi to his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, according to a statement published on the Chinese foreign ministry’s website on Thursday.

Qureshi told Wang about the latest developments in the conflict and expressed his hope that Beijing would continue to play a role in helping to resolve it, the statement said.

Wang was quoted as saying he hoped “both Pakistan and India would exercise restraint to prevent an expansion of the situation”, reiterating comments he had made the previous day.

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WNU Editor: China's influence over India is very limited, and Pakistan knows that. What Pakistan wants is China's diplomatic support and (maybe) some military assistance. But here is an easy prediction. China is not going to get involved.

Pakistan Has Abruptly Stopped Calling Out China's Mass Oppression Of Muslims

Apparently PM Imran Khan "doesn’t know much" about the condition of Uighur Muslims in #China. pic.twitter.com/MS68rUS4xH

— Naila Inayat नायला इनायत (@nailainayat) January 8, 2019

Business Insider: Pakistan abruptly stopped calling out China's mass oppression of Muslims. Critics say Beijing bought its silence

* China is facing international pressure over its crackdown on its Muslim ethnic minority, the Uighurs.
* Chinese authorities are accused of arbitrarily imprisoning Uighurs in prison-like camps and making them renounce their religion.
* More and more activists and countries, including those with Muslim majorities, are condemning Beijing over these actions.
* Pakistan, a major economic ally of China, was first to censure Beijing. But over the past few months, it started toeing the Chinese line.
* Experts say it illustrates the power of Chinese money.

Pakistan, China's largest economic ally in the Muslim world, abruptly stopped censuring Beijing over its unprecedented crackdown on Muslims.

The shift clearly illustrates the power of Chinese money, activists and critics say.

China is facing international pressure over its treatment of the Uighurs, a majority-Muslim ethnic minority who live mainly in the northwestern region of Xinjiang.

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WNU Editor: It is amazing what a few billion dollars given to a country that is on the brink of bankruptcy can do to that country's stand on human rights. 

Pakistan Embraces China For Military And Economic Aid

In this Friday, Nov. 2, 2018 file photo, Chinese President Xi Jinping meets Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China.

Economic Times/New York Times: China’s ‘Belt and Road’ plan in Pakistan takes a military turn

ISLAMABAD: When President Donald Trump started the new year by suspending billions of dollars of security aid to Pakistan, one theory was that it would scare the Pakistani military into cooperating better with its U.S. allies.

The reality was that Pakistan already had a replacement sponsor lined up.

Just two weeks later, the Pakistani air force and Chinese officials were putting the final touches on a secret proposal to expand Pakistan’s building of Chinese military jets, weaponry and other hardware. The confidential plan, reviewed by The New York Times, would also deepen the cooperation between China and Pakistan in space, a frontier the Pentagon recently said Beijing was trying to militarize after decades of playing catch-up.

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WNU Editor: Pakistan has no choice. They do not have easy access to international credit markets, and no one (with the exception of China) is willing to help finance their military and nuclear weapons expansion. And in regards to China's "Silk Road" strategy .... it is an economic initiative, but for the Chinese there is also a national security.

Pakistani Militants Attack Chinese Consulate In Karachi

ABC News Online: Chinese consulate in Pakistan attacked, leaving five dead including three suicide bombers

Suicide bombers have attacked the Chinese consulate in Pakistan's southern city of Karachi, killing two police officers but failing to enter the compound.

A blast and gunshots rang out in the affluent Clifton neighbourhood, where the consulate is located, along with those of several other nations.

A doctor at a nearby hospital confirmed at least two Pakistani policemen had died, and a security guard was injured.

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WNU Editor: There was another major terror attack in Pakistan today .... Blast at market in northwest Pakistan kills at least 25 (Reuters). Live updates here .... The Latest: Pakistan’s death toll from market bombing now 35 (AP)

More News On Today's Attack By Pakistani Militants Against The Chinese Consulate In Karachi

Separatists attack Chinese Consulate in Pakistan, killing 4 -- AP
Gunmen attack China's consulate in Pakistan as violence flares across region -- Reuters
Assault on Chinese consulate in Karachi as violence flares across region -- The Guardian
Karachi attack: China consulate attack leaves four dead -- BBC
Militants, Police Killed In Failed Attack On Chinese Consulate In Karachi -- NPR
Deadly gun attack at Chinese consulate in Karachi -- DW
Chinese consulate attack: Four killed in thwarted raid in Karachi -- CNN
Gunmen attack Chinese consulate in Karachi -- Al Jazeera
China consulate attack: Why Pakistan's Baloch separatists are against Beijing -- DW
Imran Khan Says Karachi Attack Caused by Chinese Trade Deals -- Bloomberg

Is China's Investments In Pakistan Fueling Resentments?

Click on Image to Enlarge

China Pakistan Economic Corridor (Wikipedia)

SCMP: Is China’s US$62 billion investment plan fueling resentment in Pakistan?

China-Pakistan Economic Corridor will stir up political tensions if Islamabad and Beijing cannot resolve existing concerns, NGO says.

China’s massive investment in Pakistan could fuel greater conflict in the South Asian nation if it continues on its current path, a non-profit organisation warned, just weeks ahead of what are shaping up to be the most controversial elections in the nation’s democratic history.

The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) – a collection of US$62 billion worth of infrastructure projects under construction across the country – may raise political tensions and animosity if Islamabad and Beijing cannot mitigate existing concerns, according to a report by the Belgium-based International Crisis Group.

“Pakistan’s economy clearly needs reform to better serve its people, and many officials say CPEC will help in this regard,” it said. “But as currently rolled out, the corridor risks aggravating political tension, widening social divides, and generating new sources of conflict in Pakistan.”

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WNU Editor: This project is being funded and built by the Chinese. They do expect a return on their investment, and I am willing to bet that many Pakistanis are not going to be happy when the bills come in, especially if these projects do not panned out as promised.

China Admits It Sold Advanced Missile Technology To Pakistan

© Faisal Mahmood / Reuters

Newsweek: China Sold Advanced Missile Tech To Pakistan, Fueling Asian Arms Race

China has admitted it sold advanced missile technology to Pakistan, fueling the ballistic missile arms race developing between the Islamic republic and its arch-rivals India.

The “highly sophisticated large-scale optical tracking and measurement system” will improve Pakistan’s development of its multi-warhead ballistic missiles, the South China Morning Post reported, and put further strategic pressure on an Indian military facing major rivals on both the north and western borders.

The deal has emerged two months after India successfully tested its Agni V nuclear-capable ballistic missile. The missile has a reported range of 5,000 miles, putting Beijing and Shanghai within its reach.

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More News On China Admitting It Sold Advanced Missile Technology To Pakistan

China provides tracking system for Pakistan’s missile programme -- SCMP
In unprecedented deal, Pakistan acquires powerful missile tracking system from China: Report -- Times of India
China Acknowledges Sale Of Advanced Missile Technology To Pakistan -- NPR
Eye on India's Agni V, China sells powerful missile-tracking system to Pakistan -- The Indian Express
China admits selling sensitive missile technology to Pakistan -- Financial Express
Pakistan acquires powerful missile tracking system from China: Report -- Business Insider/PTI
China helps Pakistani missile program by providing advanced tracking system – report -- RT

Has Pakistan Just Gave-Up Its Economic Sovereignty By Agreeing To A Currency Swap Arrangement With China?

Tara Kartha, First Post: Pakistan nearly trades its economic sovereignty in currency swap arrangement with China

The State Bank of Pakistan made a rather strange announcement a few days ago. A notice by the bank informed the public that the bank had carried out comprehensive policy related measures to ensure that both private and public sector enterprises could use the Chinese yuan for bilateral trade and investment activities. Even more puzzling to financial circles was the earlier announcement by the Foreign Office spokesperson that the two countries would "actively" use bilateral currencies for trade and investment. The problem is that the bilateral currency swap agreement between the two countries was signed during the time of prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani well over six years ago. Apparently, that never really took off, with Chinese traders refusing to accept Pakistani currency for any kind of swap or otherwise.

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WNU Editor: The above First Post analysis of this agreement is spot on. My immediate reaction when I read this announcement of a currency swap between the two countries was to scratch my head and say to myself that it does not make sense. It has already been tried, and it failed because Chinese traders refused to accept Pakistani currency for any kind of swap or otherwise. So why try again? My guess is that the Chinese government made the decision to make this work by providing guarantees to Chinese traders (i.e. securing any transaction), and in return demanded and received major concessions from Pakistan. As to what are those concessions .... maybe this .... Pakistan Is In Talks With China For The Chinese To Build Their Second Overseas Military-Naval Base Near The Pakistani Port Of Gwandar.

Pakistan Is In Talks With China For The Chinese To Build Their Second Overseas Military-Naval Base Near The Pakistani Port Of Gwandar

Washington Times: China building military base in Pakistan

China is constructing its second overseas military base in Pakistan as part of a push for greater power projection capabilities along strategic sea routes.

The facility will be built at Jiwani, a port close to the Iranian border on the Gulf of Oman, according to two people familiar with deal.

Plans call for the Jiwani base to be a joint naval and air facility for Chinese forces, located a short distance up the coast from the Chinese-built commercial port facility at Gwadar, Pakistan. Both Gwadar and Jiwani are part of Pakistan’s western Baluchistan province.

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WNU Editor: Pakistan is denying these reports .... Pakistan denies reports of Chinese military base near Gwadar port (The Indian Express). But when I look at what the Chinese are saying .... to them this is a done deal. This is a surprising development .... Pakistan has never permitted the establishment of a major foreign military base on its territory. This deal will also ferment even more Balochistan resentment against the Islamabad government, since the base will be built within its territory. So why is Pakistan doing this .... besides for money. My guess is that the Pakistan government has made the decision that their long term interests will be best served if they aligned themselves both politically and militarily with China.

More News On Reports That China Will Be Building A Major Naval Base In Pakistan

First Djibouti ... now Pakistan port earmarked for a Chinese overseas naval base, sources say -- SCMP
China plan to build military base near Chabahar is a well-timed warning from Pakistan to Trump -- IBTimes
China to Build Second Foreign Naval Base, This Time in Pakistan -- Sputnik
After Djibouti, China to Build Second Foreign Naval Base in Pakistan -- News18
China to build naval base in Gwadar Balochistan -- Balochwarna News
China to build military base near Chabahar? -- Times Of India
Why Is China Building a Military Base in Pakistan, America’s Newest Enemy? -- Newsweek

Update: A good read .... Why China is ready to become the new influencer in Pakistan (Rosie Perper Business Insider/Task & Purpose)

China Joins Pakistan And Afghanistan To Push The Taliban To Enter Into Peace Talks

Afghan FM Rabbani, Chinese FM Wang Yi and Pakistani FM Asif attend a joint news conference after the 1st China-Afghanistan-Pakistan Foreign Ministers' Dialogue in Beijing Thomson Reuters

Bloomberg: China Steps Up to Broker Peace in Afghan-Pakistan Conflict

Foreign ministers met in Beijing to discuss cooperation
Beijing has adopted a more proactive foreign policy under Xi

China hosted top diplomats from Afghanistan and Pakistan on Tuesday in a bid to mediate a long-simmering conflict between the neighboring countries.

Afghan Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani and Pakistan Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif joined their Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on Tuesday to discuss possible economic and security cooperation. The first trilateral minister-level dialogue in Beijing comes as China expands its economic interests in Pakistan.

“China, Afghanistan and Pakistan, as three neighbors, will naturally try to strengthen cooperation amongst each other,” Wang was quoted as saying by state broadcaster CCTV. “This is fully in accordance with our common interests, and is a good thing for us.”

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Update: Pakistan, Afghanistan appeal to Taliban to join peace talks (ABC News/AP)

WNU Editor: There are other factors that are involved. One is economic .... China, Pakistan to look at including Afghanistan in $57 billion economic corridor (Business Insider). The other is counter-terrorism .... China, Pakistan, Afghanistan resolve to fight terrorism (Economic Times). But is this enough to bring the Taliban to the peace-table .... I doubt it.

China's Embassy In Pakistan Warns Its Citizens That They Are A Target For 'Terror Attacks'

Wang Yi Attends Flag-raising Ceremony of New Chinese Embassy in Pakistan

SCMP: China’s embassy in Pakistan warns of ‘series of terror attacks soon’ on its nationals

Anti-terrorism expert says country where China has invested billions in infrastructure projects is high risk for Chinese

China’s embassy in Islamabad has warned Chinese organisations and nationals in Pakistan to be on alert for potential terror attacks.

The embassy said it had been informed that terrorists were planning “a series of attacks soon” against Chinese, according to a statement released on Friday.

“The embassy alerts all Chinese organisations and citizens in Pakistan to stay vigilant, safeguard personal security, reduce time spent outside and avoid going to crowded places as much as possible,” the statement said.

Chinese should cooperate with Pakistani police and military and contact the Chinese embassy if necessary, it added.

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Update #1: China warns of imminent attacks by "terrorists" in Pakistan -- Reuters
Update #2: China warns citizens in Pakistan of possible terror attacks -- Washington Post/AP

WNU Editor: They are soft targets and easy to identify. The Chinese have also become targets due to their own severe crackdown on their own Muslim communities.

Is China Replacing U.S. Military Aid To Pakistan?

Polina Tikhonova, ValueWalk: Will China Crush U.S. Military Role In Pakistan?

The China-Pakistan all-weather friendship enters its turning point as Islamabad turns to Beijing to help replace U.S. military aid and technical cooperation.

U.S. President Donald Trump finally unveiled his much-anticipated Afghan strategy in August, and it largely focused on putting the burden of the fight against terrorism on Pakistan. Because of that, U.S.-Pakistani defense ties are expected to dwindle week by week.

China and Pakistan are in the middle of their major air force drills, which began last week and will run through September 27. Meanwhile, Islamabad is likely to turn to Beijing in a bid to replace the U.S. military aid it was receiving. The Trump administration decided previously that it would only give Pakistan access to $225 million worth of military assistance when it stops providing “safe havens” to terrorist elements.

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WNU Editor: I doubt that the Chinese are going to be as generous as the U.S. has been in giving aid to Pakistan for the past 16 years. In fact .... I am 100% sure that the Chinese will not be. The question that needs to be answered is .... what will China demand from Pakistan if an aid package is agreed upon. My prediction .... a lot of strings.

America And China Do Not See Eye-To-Eye On What Needs To Be Done In Pakistan

South China Morning Post: What China has to fear from US drones in Trump's Afghan search

As the Trump administration gears up for a renewed campaign in Afghanistan, US military actions are spilling over the border to the Pakistani province of Balochistan – home to a centrepiece of Beijing’s Belt and Road project

China finds itself in the eye of a brewing diplomatic storm between the United States and Pakistan over Afghanistan that threatens its multibillion-dollar Belt and Road investments.

Tensions between the US and Pakistan, its major non-Nato ally, have risen in recent months since the Trump administration signalled its intention to renew its military campaign to arrest the rapid loss of Afghan territory to Taliban insurgents. The Pentagon believes the success of the initiative depends on using political pressure and punitive measures to force Islamabad into reversing its alleged policy of granting sanctuary to the Taliban and its terrorist faction, the Haqqani Network.

“The exploitation of ungoverned sanctuaries outside Afghanistan by terrorists and Afghan insurgents is the single greatest external factor that could cause failure of the coalition campaign,” said General John Nicholson, commander of US forces in Afghanistan on June 20. “Afghan-oriented militant groups retain freedom of action inside Pakistani territory and benefit from the support of elements of the Pakistani government.”

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WNU Editor: The Chinese believe that they can influence Pakistan with economic incentives and political support so that over time they will be able to temper their more militant tendencies .... including having them pull back their support of militant groups like the Taliban. What's my take .... the Chinese are waaaaayyyy to optimistic on their ability to sway Pakistan to pursue a different course. Just on the issue of nuclear weapons Pakistan is now on a program to vastly expand their nuclear arsenal ..... and I do not see how a few extra billion dollars from China and a promise that Pakistan will play an integral part in the "Silk Road" is going to change a policy that Pakistan has been pursuing for a very long time. U.S. drones in the skies over Pakistan is a concern .... but on a list of very worrisome developments .... a few U.S. drones in the skies is the least of what China should be concerned about.

Update: Yup .... this sums up why China will fail .... Pakistan can't afford China's 'friendship' (C. Christine Fair, Foreign Policy).

Recently Released CIA Documents Claim China Did Not Only Give A Nuclear Weapon Design To Pakistan, But Also Gave Them Enriched Uranium

Indrani Bagchi, Times of India/TNN: CIA Papers Reveal China's Nuclear Free Pass to Pakistan

* Recently declassified CIA files testify to the depth of the Pak-China military relationship built over decades
* US suspected that China gave Pakistan the design of N-bomb and enriched uranium
* US notes that China did not ask Pak to open its nuclear installations to IAEA inspections

NEW DELHI: Recently declassified CIA files+ testify to the depth of the Pakistan-China military relationship built over decades and also highlights how Beijing was willing to risk its own nuclear cooperation with US to boost the nuclear ambitions of 'all weather friend' Pakistan.

In the files, the US notes that China did not ask Pakistan to open its nuclear installations to IAEA inspections, after inking a nuclear agreement with the latter. The text of the agreement is pretty anodyne, focusing on non-military nuclear technology, radio-isotopes, medical research and civilian power technology. By this, the US notes, China wanted to develop a nuclear export market in Pakistan in "nonsensitive" areas. This would "reassure" countries like US which were apprehensive about Pakistan's nuclear designs.

"We cannot rule out the possibility that China may feel it will be easier to cooperate clandestinely with Pakistan behind the smokescreen of IAEA-safe guarded cooperation activity in non-sensitive areas."

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WNU Editor: If this is true .... one has to then wonder if China helped North Korea in developing its atomic bomb.

China Wants To Have Their Own Military Bases In Pakistan

Photo: Pakistan Defense Blog

China Wants Bases (An Endless War) In Pakistan -- The Danger Room

Washington just got a golden opportunity to end its decade-long excursion into central Asia and deplete the power of its Pacific rival/banker, all in one fell swoop. The Chinese are seeking bases in the tribal regions of Pakistan, precisely where the U.S. fights its drone war.

The plugged-in Asia Times Online reports that China wants to set up military hubs in Khyber-Pukhtunkhwa, formerly known as the Northwest Frontier Province. China’s reasoning will sound familiar to American ears: That’s where anti-Chinese terrorists operate. Khyber-Pukhtunkhwa abuts the restive, non-Han Chinese province of Xinjiang, home to ethnic Uighur separatists. With the People’s Liberation Army getting a foothold in tribal Pakistan, the Chinese reason, it can crush separatism, and make sure that terrorist factions can’t hide out across the border.

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Previous Post: China Wants Military Bases In Pakistan

My Comment: I agree with the Danger Room's Spencer Ackerman on this one .... if the Chinese want to get involved in that quagmire .... god bless them.

China Wants Military Bases In Pakistan

China Seeks Military Bases In Pak's Restive Tribal Region -- Economic Times

ISLAMABAD: China has expressed an interest in setting up military bases in Pakistan's volatile tribal area or the Northern Areas, close to the restive Chinese province of Xinjiang, to counter the activities of extremists, according to a media report today.

The Chinese desire is aimed at containing the growing terrorist activities of Chinese rebels of the al-Qaeda-linked East Turkestan Islamic Movement, The News daily quoted diplomatic sources as saying.

The Chinese rebels want an independent Islamic state and are reportedly being trained in Pakistan's tribal areas.

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More News On China Wanting To Have Military Bases In Pakistan

China seeks military bases in Pakistan -- Asia Times
China seeking military bases in Fata or N-Areas -- The International News
China keen to set up military bases in Pak -- Zee News
China Seeking Counter-Uighur Military Bases In Pakistan? -- Eurasianet.org

My Comment: The U.S. and India are taking notice.

Saudi, Chinese And Pakistani Intelligence Officials To Meet In Islamabad

Pakistani Interior Minister Rehman Malik (L) holds a Chinese flag as he greets Chinese Minister of Public Security Meng Jianzhu (R) after Jianzhu arrived at Chaklala airbase in Rawalpindi on September 26, 2011. PHOTO: AFP

Chinese Vice Prime Minister Arrives In Islamabad -- Express Tribune

ISLAMABAD: Vice Prime Minister of China Meng Jianzhou has arrived in Islamabad on a two day visit to Pakistan.

Jianzhou will meet President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani and the political and military leadership during his visit.

The talks will focus on bilateral relations, the regional situation and matters of mutual interest.

Jianzhou was received at the airport by Interior Minister Rehman Malik and Pakistan’s Ambassador to China Masood Khan.

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My Comment: This is easy to figure out. China is there because Pakistan is an ally against India. The Saudis are there because of their concerns with Shiite Iran, and are aligning themselves with Sunni Pakistan as a counterpart to rising Iranian influence (and American decline) in the region.

But what caught my eye was the following ....

.... A trilateral meeting between intelligence officials from Saudi Arabia, China and Pakistan will held in Islamabad today, Express 24/7 reported.

The trilateral meeting between officials will focus on United States (US) allegations against Pakistan and the future course of action in this regard.

Earlier, Director-general (DG) ISI Lt General Ahmad Shuja Pasha met Saudi officials at Chaklala base.

Sources said Saudi officials had conveyed a positive signal of considerable support to ISI officials during the meeting.

If these reports are true .... expect raised eyebrows in the CIA, Pentagon, State Department .... and the Oval Office.

The Growing Pakistan-China Military And Intelligence Alliance

ISI Chief On Secret China Visit As US Ties Take A Blow: Report -- Times of India

ISLAMABAD: ISI chief Lt Gen Ahmed Shuja Pasha has embarked on a secret visit to China that is being seen as part of Pakistan's efforts to reduce its dependence on the US in the wake of strained military and intelligence ties.

Pasha is expected to open a "broad-based strategic dialogue" with Beijing during his visit, The Express Tribune newspaper quoted its sources as saying.

The visit came less than two weeks after a trip to Beijing by Lt Gen Waheed Arshad, chief of general staff of the Pakistan army.

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My Comment: While Chinese-Pakistan relations are getting closer (minus a few hiccups), U.S.-Pakistan relations are going into the toilet