The Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan, Jiang Zaidong, addressed an international conference hosted by the Pakistan-China Institute (PCI) on the theme “China at 75: A Journey of Progress, Transformation, and Leadership,” stressing the importance of improving the safety and security of Chinese citizens working in Pakistan. With rising security concerns among the public, he emphasized that both countries could jointly crack down on those targeting Chinese citizens in Pakistan.
Ambassador Jiang said that China expects decisive actions against individuals responsible for such attacks and believes that all those involved in these attacks should be punished. He added that it is unacceptable for China to face such threats and expressed hope that Pakistan would ensure the safety of Chinese nationals working in the country.
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, assured the ambassador that no efforts would be spared in securing Chinese nationals. Dar mentioned that he would soon visit China along with Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari in early November to participate in discussions upon invitation from the Chinese President. During these talks, he would provide specific details on the steps taken by Pakistan to hold perpetrators of terror attacks accountable under the law, noting that many suspects have already been detained.
Dar highlighted that Pakistan is uniquely positioned as a country where, despite significant security challenges, the Chinese government continues to pursue its projects in Pakistan despite losing the lives of its citizens.
Ambassador Jiang, who spoke twice during the event, used his right to reply after Ishaq Dar’s remarks on security. This public display of concern from the Chinese envoy—highly uncommon in diplomatic circles—highlighted the stark differences in the two countries’ perspectives on security for Chinese nationals in Pakistan. “It is unacceptable for us to be attacked twice within six months, causing casualties among our citizens,” Jiang stated, directly urging Pakistan to “severely punish the perpetrators and crack down on all anti-China terrorist groups.” The ambassador’s pointed comments reflect growing frustration in Beijing over repeated security lapses and underlined that “security is the biggest concern for China and a constraint to CPEC in Pakistan.”
It is noteworthy that on October 6, the Majid Brigade of the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for a suicide attack near Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport. This attack targeted a high-level convoy of Chinese officials, resulting in the deaths and injuries of several Chinese engineers. The BLA stated that they used a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) to specifically target Chinese citizens. The organization claimed responsibility for killing over five Chinese engineers and investors, injuring more than a dozen, and causing fatalities among at least fifteen Pakistani security personnel and intelligence officials assigned to protect the Chinese delegation.
Chinese Projects in Balochistan and Local Resistance
In recent years, China has invested heavily in various projects across Pakistan, particularly in Balochistan, under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) framework. These initiatives include infrastructure development, mining, and energy projects aimed at boosting connectivity between Pakistan and China and establishing an economic foothold in the region. One of the flagship projects of CPEC is the development of the Gwadar port, a strategic deep-sea port expected to serve as a key transit hub for Chinese goods.
However, the Baloch people, indigenous to the province, have voiced strong opposition to these projects, which they view as exploitative. Many Baloch activists argue that these developments disproportionately benefit Pakistan and China, leaving local communities without significant economic gain, resources, or employment opportunities. This sentiment is further fueled by concerns over land acquisition and environmental impact, which the Baloch claim affect their traditional livelihoods.
The Baloch resistance groups, including the BLA, view the Chinese presence as part of a broader strategy that disregards the rights of the local population. In recent years, these groups have targeted Chinese nationals and infrastructure projects, citing their opposition to what they perceive as foreign exploitation and marginalization.