Andrew Small sheds light on one of the least known, yet strategically significant, relationships in international relations; the informal alliance between China and Pakistan. Virtually unacknowledged in the West, China and Pakistan's co-operation over the previous five decades has touched many areas; military, some economic and even some logistical and scientific issues. These two nations could very well hold the key to a politically stable future Asian continent and also the growing threat to both of militant Islam groups.
Firstly, it needs to be said, Small highlights categorically that the alliance between China and Pakistan, despite being decades old, has never been entirely formal in nature. No treaties, agreements, pacts or unions have ever been signed between the two. This should not reduce the importance of the axis to either party, however, and is indeed one of the reasons why it has remained 'hidden' for so long. The strategic benefit of the axis to both nations is explained in detail
The vast extent of the axis has and continues to be military in nature. Since the Sino-Indian War of 1962, China has regularly supplied arms and logistics to Pakistan, seeing her as a counterpoint to a local strategic rival; India. This grew after the 'Smiling Buddha' detonation of an atomic bomb by India during the mid-1970s, and here is where the author hits the crucial pivot of the China/Pakistan axis; the supplying of nuclear capability to the Pakistan government.
Small makes it abundantly clear that it's not simply a case of China shipping nuclear weapons to Islamabad. Co-operation, collusion and exchanges of ideas are apparent. A simplistic view is that of Chinese brawn and Pakistani brains working together, but further research emphasizes an element of both brawn and brain by each side. Pakistani knowledge of rocket technology, however, was not quite so sophisticated and China has basically supplied an effective delivery system to the Pakistanis over the years. Whilst being interpreted as rash, this is considered to have helped stabilize the India-Pakistan situation to some extent. The economic aspect of the axis is somewhat weaker. Trade and investment has been apparent but this has been to a much lesser extent than the military ties established between the two. Mega-projects have begun in Pakistan with major Chinese investment, however, they have not always been successful. Communication projects such as the building of highways across the borders have also been accomplished.
It needs to be documented that the axis has not always led to a smooth relationship between China and Pakistan. China has been willing to support Pakistan diplomatically and militarily against Indian aggression, but this is not extended to the opposite direction. There are limits, and China has made clear its willingness to only go so far in supporting Pakistan. The issue of Islamic militancy also rears its ugly features. Whilst more of a secondary target to extremists, China has still become increasingly frustrated with Islamabad's inability to properly deal with the problem caused by militants in Xinjiang. Muslim Uighur militancy is a more 'low-intensity' issue compared to that waged in the West, but it is still clearly a grave concern to Beijing. You'll need to read more to discover the rest.
This is a very enjoyable and informative book. Small has clearly done his research here. He has also not restricted his work to simple bilateral relations and includes the areas where the United States, the Central Asian republics and also Afghanistan have been relevant to the relationship and also how they've influenced it too.
An excellent introduction to a fascinating topic.
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