Editing Foreign relations of Pakistan (section)

===Pakistan–China relations===
{{Main|China–Pakistan relations}}

China has played a significant role in the development, economy and security of Pakistan, with relationship beginning in 1951 when Pakistan was among the first countries to sever diplomatic ties with the [[Republic of China]] (on [[Taiwan Island]]) and recognizes the [[People's Republic of China]] (PRC) on [[Mainland China]] as the sole representative. Since then, both countries have placed considerable importance on the maintenance of an extremely close and supportive [[Special relationship (international relations)|special relationship]]<ref name="bbcnews">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-13418957|title= Pakistani PM hails China as his country's 'best friend'|work=BBC News|access-date=17 May 2011|date=17 May 2011}}</ref><ref name="nyt">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/13/world/asia/13pstan.html|title= Pakistan President to Visit China, a Valued Ally|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=12 October 2008|first=Salman|last=Masood|date=13 October 2008}}</ref> and the two countries have regularly exchanged high-level visits resulting in a variety of agreements. The PRC has provided economic, military, and technical assistance to Pakistan, and each country considers the other a close strategic ally.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://articles.cnn.com/2011-05-17/world/china.pakistan.friend_1_minister-yousuf-raza-gilani-chinese-president-hu-jintao-pakistani-counterpart?_s=PM:WORLD|title=Pakistan cements China ties amid tension with U.S|date=17 May 2011|access-date=12 July 2011|work=CNN|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727131107/http://articles.cnn.com/2011-05-17/world/china.pakistan.friend_1_minister-yousuf-raza-gilani-chinese-president-hu-jintao-pakistani-counterpart?_s=PM:WORLD|archive-date=27 July 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90001/90776/90883/7384378.html|title=China, Pakistan joined in bonds of brotherhood|access-date=18 May 2011|work=People's Daily}}</ref> Since the advent of the 21st century, Pakistan and China have strengthened their relations through bilateral trade, military agreements and supporting each other on key issues. The intensifying [[China–United States relations|US-China Strategic Rivalry]] has put Pakistan in an extremely difficult situation to maintain ties with both of these states.<ref name=A>{{cite web |title=Pakistan's foreign policy reset hits a dead end |date=13 July 2022 |url=https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/pakistans-foreign-policy-reset-hits-a-dead-end/ |publisher=The Australian Strategic Policy Institute |access-date=13 July 2022}}</ref> Bilawal Bhutto Zardari accused [[UN Human Rights Office report on Xinjiang]] were "taken out of context",<ref>{{cite web |title=We're tired of conflict': Pakistan treads carefully on Ukraine war; hails relationship with China |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/pakistan-foreign-minister-bilawal-bhutto-zardari-ukraine-china-3141081 |website=CNA}}</ref> and Pakistan supports China's activities for socio-economic development, harmony and peace, and stability.<ref>{{cite web |title=Pakistan supports China's efforts for peace and socio-economic development in Xinjiang: FO |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1708727 |website=dawn.com |date=6 September 2022 |access-date=6 September 2022}}</ref>

A cornerstone of the success of China's [[Belt and Road Initiative]] (BRI) is the [[China-Pakistan Economic Corridor]] (CPEC). CPEC contains initiatives worth a total of $62 billion, such as infrastructure, energy, economic zones, and the development of the Gwadar port. A Chinese spokesperson said in 2022 that "the bond of friendship and mutual assistance between the Chinese and Pakistani people is stronger than gold, and the two countries' iron-clad friendship is deeply rooted in the people and boasts strong vitality.<ref>{{Cite web |title=How China and Pakistan Forged Close Ties |url=https://www.cfr.org/article/how-china-and-pakistan-forged-close-ties |access-date=2023-08-07 |website=Council on Foreign Relations |language=en}}</ref>