China’s Foreign Ministry on Wednesday praised Pakistan as a firm partner against terror and religious extremism, playing down the risk that ties could be strained by an attack that Chinese officials blamed on militants trained in Pakistan.
The ministry’s statement was its first response to the attack in Kashgar city in China’s far western Xinjiang region on Sunday, when a group of Uighur men killed a restaurant owner and waiter, and then hacked to death four people.
Read: Terrorism in China
The Kashgar government said the attack was organised by members of the separatist “East Turkestan Islamic Movement” who received arms and explosives training in Pakistan.
But the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu said his government stood by Pakistan, in comments apparently intended to quash any notion of a rift over the attack in Xinjiang, where members of the Uighur minority have protested against Beijing’s control and the Han Chinese presence.
“Pakistan has made an outstanding contribution to battling terrorism,” Ma said in a statement on the ministry’s website. Ma did not mention the Xinjiang attack in his comments.
On Monday, the Pakistani foreign ministry issued a statement offering “full support” to China after the attack. Pakistan shares a border with China, and Uighurs, including opponents of Chinese rule, have fled there in the past.
Analysts have said that the role of any militant members of the “East Turkestan Islamic Movement” in the attack is unclear, especially because the group appears so weak.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 4th, 2011.
COMMENTS (69)
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Chinas achievements over the years are mirraculous.As regards china and india comparison,compare your C'wealth games and Chinas Olymic Games2008>Mind you they had a tremendous earthquake,Thank God India did not have any.That is what is called the Character of a nation.---------------------I have a word of praise for Indias democracy,its independent judiciary.To be frank i am a well wisher of India.Till yesterday we were one nation.We do have differences but we have manythings common.
@Hedgefunder: Yes you know it better. They hit you hard in 1962.
China has been following the same policy and has stood with pakistan at every international forum.China has been consistent throught since the architect of Sino-pak friendship Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto declared"our friendship is higher than the Korrakrum and deeper than the occean".There is immense goodwill for china in pakistan.It will remain so no matter what our detractors may say.
The news is ch-47crash very tragic though desrves more attention.xinjiang story is old now.
The Chinese know the real culprits behind the Uighar rebellion support. They called upon this government not to play weasel like games, And tell their mentors across the Atlantic not to indulge their nose in Kashgar. That is why DG ISI flew over to Beijing to give assurance no one will cause any problem holding ''Diplomatic Visas''.
Some Indians cannot digest China-Pakistan friendship which to quote shaheed Z A Bhuutto higher than the Korakrum and deeper than the occean.It was a timely statement the Chinese government has issued.I hope the people and the government of China will look into the grievances of the muslims of Xinjiang who are our brothers in faith I also hope they will be law abiding chinese first,anything else afterwards.
@ashok sai: hahah Grow up thats what exactly i wanna say to you. iam glad that at least you agree that india is a poverty stricken country which has no match with china.Long Live Pak-China friendship.
@Romm: And then you ask why we comment? Rest assured. we have taken care of you in the past, taking care in present and will take care in future.
Vienna,05-08-2011 I am enjoying the comments boys & minority of girls commenting here.Mandarin China has been growing 19% no less since early 80s when the gang of four were placed on dustbin.Because of the dole out from Taiwan,Korea,Hong Kong and of course from Western Europe and the United States of America opening business following the guest seat offered in the United Nations held by Taiwan, Mandarin China accumulated dollar surplus into trillions by under valuing own currency yellow Japanese style. Mandarin China got a little more than what Pakistan got as dole out Friends of Military Dictators of Pakistan or Friends of Democratic Pakistan.Mind you India had to pay back for the poisoned corn sold to Indian under PL480 programme.I lived then. I live now. Hard devoted work by Indians everywhere has helped. It is new trend in India Hindu hooligans importing terrorist mind from across the border and beyond from the sand land kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Taravadu Taranga Trust for Media Monitoring, TTTMM India --Kulamarva Balakrishna
@Romm: Its not something to be proud of
@Asad khan: Don't live in that illusion, that countries don't change their policies overnight!! This are Chinese you are dealing with, they don't need a mandate or take into consideration any public opinions either, the policies are made and changed shiftly as to the requirement of the Party !!!!! Do you really feel Lucky?? If so, test them out, create some more havoc in their turf, which shows that they lead back to Pakistan, and they will answer back!!! Maybe not very pleasant answer at that!!!
We are the largest exporter of terrorism. To reduce the trade imbalance with China we are exporting our most technologicaly sophisticated and most pious product to the all weather friend.
@Mumtaz.Rizvi:
China is also having poverty around 100 millions even though India has higher rate of poverty. China had started it reforms roughly 10 years before India, so we are lacking behind them by 10 years and I think there is nothing to ponder like giant and baby, grow up.
There was'nt any need for so much hullabulloo over kashghar incident.it is over now.countries dont change their policies overnight.things will continueas before.get down to work.
@Proud-Paki: If you do not understand why we Indians comment on Pak-China relationship, then you do not understand Geo-politics of south Asia. Its simple - China sees India as an economic rival. Iys using you Pakistanis against us. And you are willing to be used. Now you have started biting the hand which feeds you (China). Now Chinese are seeing Pakistan as a liability rather than a strategic asset.And we want chinese to see your true colours. Hence we comment.
Thanks for pin drop silence after my above comments. Please don't spread words of hartered and bad wishes through social media. This is a major reason militancy increasing worldwide.
I just dont understand why there are so many Indians commenting on our relationship with China. Is it because of jeolousy or they just wish that China should become our enemy like them? I think it is combination of both. For India everything is a zero sum game. Indian cannot develop untill Pakistan is detroyed. India cannot have a strategic relationship with US untill uncle sam openly declares Pakistan an enemy. So now they are using the same logic with China. If you want good relations with us then abandon Pakistan.
China and Pakistan are not going to fight over such incindents. China knows very well that their country has a goodwill that even US couldnt create with all her money and aid. (US is jeolus of such influence). Above all they know that no one in Pakistan supports anti-china groups.So why would they squander such moral capital and beat up on Pakistan like India and US do?
With US urging India to create an anti china alliance in east Asia, it is shear lunacy to think that Chinese would abandon their longtime ally. No matter how much the detractors of Pakistan wish this relationship is not going to change, Period.
@Asad khan: The Saudis have never addressed Shia grievances. In this respect China is following Saudi Arabia and treating the minority in the same fashion.
The problem in Kasghir is ethnic not religious..Shia minority in Saudi Arabia had some grievances the govermenent addressed those grievances.There is calm now.I hope china will follow the Saudi example.
I wasted enough time on reading the same blame game comments. We should realize that we are also getting mad like the one in Norway, like TTP, maoists, like LTT, like those who ploting bombings, like those who started in Kashgar. The might killed few, but they achieve more from intellectuals you guys, who started blam and wishful statements. This is what these terrorist wants, you guys are provide substantial support like HT doing in Pakistan. I blamed non, but those who spreading hatter across boarders through words, no doubt they are also terrroists.
@Jal: Well said Man i agree with you there shouldnt have been so much anti-chinese comments. to me china has never done any harm to pakistan despite its always their to help and aid us in our crunch situation. but yet i appreciate the sensibleness of chinese authorities that they didnt came up hostile and threatening towards pakistan. things would have tensed-up had these attacks took place any where in india or in u.s.a. Thank You China to remain friendly towards your good friend. We love you china your enemies are our enemies.
@Akthar: With such paradigm you are about to lose a deed friend like china and going to make another enemy in your surroundings.Thank God that peoples like you are'nt having the reigns to rule Pakistan in their hands else this country would have vanished from the globe.
@adeel qadri: I cant help laughing on such a sick mind set.my dear adeel these are your loving talibans who have dispress the law and order situation in pakistan.
@Danish Muneer:Your opnion is nothing but a nonsense you are among those who seeks foreign hands behind every bomb blast occured over the soil of pakistan
@Danish Muneer: You just have a bad nose.
@Dr. Saleem Siddiqi: Lets send the simple preacher Hafiz Saeed to China.
@Babloo: The world is not envious but flabbergasted at this deluded relationship.....from our side that is. The Chinese are smart.
@hassan: Even if Pakistan goes all out to stop the elements giving arms and training to Uighars from Xingyiang. The matter will not end either for Beijing or Yarkand. Flow of support will come from two other borders, Afghanistan (Wakan strip) and Kirghizstan, both presently under the protective umbrella of Uncle Sam. Our neighbor under his occupation and the Khirgiz divided unproportionately over Uncle Sam's bases in their country. The Uighar revolt was initiated at the same time that we were fighting Washington's proxy war in the 80s. This message from the Chinese Government is not to slam the Pakistani Public but to tell this Government stop playing poker if you do not have the poker face let aside the hand to play the game on someone else's game table?
I can smell the Indian plot in the KASHGAR incident.
@Ayaz: Wat makes you think that China is not gonna the "US way". You agree that the alliance is only to counter India, assume some day China finds India an equal partner, the same way US did in the past 10 years, the alliance would be meaningless and China wouldn't need Pakistan. Then will Pakistan go behind some other country? Why does Pakistan need alliances to survive? First US, now China. Wake up, Alliances are kept only as long as it is profitable. I hope you guys realise it
Pakistan was born with a body but without the two legs. For it to walk, it had to find two legs. Americans and the Chinese became its legs. Pakistan began to walk. Now one leg have given way and it starts limping. Today, the other leg is starting to have problems. In the next couple of years, the last leg will also give way. Pakistan once again becomes a body with NO legs.
@Trulie: hohoooooo, dream on
Now I understand why that terrorist Hafiz Saeed gave the statement "Bombing innocents is unislamic" right on the eve of ISI chief Pasha's visit to China. It was good old fashioned arm twisting by chinese that lead to this.
Pakistan needs to clean up the terror mess that inflicts chinese, sorry indians, we can not and would not do the same for you unless your corrupt army vacates Kashmir. Besides there wont be an India left in 10 years as you know, there will be Maoist India. I am sure Maoists ruling over India in couple of years would want peaceful relations with Pakistan and China. And make Indian economy grow at 20%. Pakistan supports Maoists in their drive to cleanse the corrupt indian elite, 99% of Indians who comment on ET are the elitists thats why their hateful comments against Pakistan.
May be they busted the 'Indian terrorist handler' double diping its terror in both Pakistan and China. Whoaaaa.
@saleem siddiqui..
"Great nation china"... you better remember this word.. I will come back to in 2 years.. Let me see if you have the same thing to say about china..
@ashok sai: Its been running for 50 odd years and will keep running for years to come wait till they take over gawader
@shazada Malik-Loan: And you need to address the concerns of everyone within Pakistan !!! Let's start with baluchs, Sindhis, Pathans, for starters ! Move on to main course , deal with Shias, Ahmedis, sikhs, hindus, christians and whoever is left!!!! Oh yes Mohajirs !!! For deserts, let's not forget Kashmiris and that includes those ethnically cleansed from the region on both sides, the Pandits too !! I really don't think you are in any position to advice the Chinese!!!!!
@Jal: There is nothing anti-chinese about it! rest assure these are the facts as to Chinese Foreign policy and its changes historically over past two decades at least !! What Pakistan needs to appreciate is the fact that Chinese Foreign Policy consist of two important factors, Trade and Strategic Situations, in term of geographical locations and their interests in that region. But when any form of disorder or disturbance affects its immediate people or region, they are not lacking in action, to deal with it and that is the Key that Pakistan and its Strategic Assets need to know, as these guys don't care about Condemnation from rest of the Internatinal Community, nor does it really care about Human Rights issues, so they will not hesitate to severe any deals or favours that they have in place at the time!!! That's the Key Issue that Pakistan needs to understand and be prepared for on event of such situation arises.
China is sensible and immediately clarified and gave a very postive statement to clarify their position.
On the other hand, India keeps beating the bush every time and all the times falsely implicating Hafiz Saeed who is simply an Islamic religion preacher and social worker.
This is the difference between a great nation (China) and a nation (India) which has no moral values.
Regards
Dr. Saleem Siddiqi
Johannesburg - South Africa
@ashok sai: China has always been there through thick and thin unlike US and India that are fair weather friends and bails out when not needed. India has always opposed regardless of the agenda.
The people and state of Pakistan stand resolutely, shoulder to shoulder as brothers, with the great Han Chinese people, to crush the Muslim Uighar terrorists.
Pak-China friendship long-live. Pakistan is ready to sacrifice itself for the great people and state of China. Pakistan provides strategic depth to China and no sacrifice is big enough for the people of Pakistan for the great state of China. The world is envious of this sacred relation.
Pak-Cheen Dosti Zindabad... Chun-Pa Youyi Wan suaye... :D
Why are there so many anti-chinese comments here??? There should be anti-saudi arabian comments after all they give funds to Taliban... Pakistanis are so naive.. Nations like this..should not be called a nation...
Pakistan will have a friend in India ... when it decides to be friend with India. Until then, you will persist in your servitude, to foreign masters. Prudent ... that is not.
@Akthar:
It seems you are only interested in destroying Pakistan via your support of terrorism against Pakistans allies....
Time will rell who is on who's side ... I hope Pakistan is not doing an America of China .... as they have always done .. to Saudi.. Bahrain.. and many others ...
The chinese do need to address the legitimate concerns of the Uighr people - the situation will only get worse. You cannot bring in hordes of Han and turn the majority into mnority in their own home. The Chinese must address the situation urgently otherwise others will come - especially with their troubles in Tibet.
@ Fellow Pakistanis - can we please stop being delusional about our own capabilities? It's not something to be proud of that "no one can stop us from being backwards if we don't want to change"! Great. Who cares? We are cutting our nose to spite our face. Terrorists are ruining our country and causing havoc in our cities yet we beat our chests about being blamed for terrorism elsewhere.
We have heard similar statements made by the American's so many times that no one believes it anymore - why is this any different? No one wants an ally that harbors terrorist -- that goes double for an ally who happens to share a border with you.
Same line used by the Americans after each attack by the terrorists.
1.) China blames that terrorists are getting trained in Pakistan.
2.) Immediately, Gen Pasha flies to Beijing.
3.) After this, China issues a statement that Pak will continue to be its friend.
I think I have seen this movie before !!
The fact that the Pakistani government is so quick in expressing its support to the Chinese only underlines the fact that it is willing and able to "turn off" the terror tap for some while keeping it "on" for others... If it does not mend its ways, Pakistan's tolerance and ambivalence, if not its active support, for the use of terrorism as an instrument of state policy will one day have it declared as a "terrorist state" and detested around the world!
“Pakistan is an important front in the international fight against terrorism, and has made an outstanding contribution to battling terrorism,” Ma said
Our Indian 'friends' will be gutted. They'd already started popping the bubbly.
This is was expected. The Chinese had a two point agenda:-
Deflect the criticism from their oppression of Innocent Muslims. Putting the blame on Pakistani Militants/Alqaeda such that their Oppression goes unnoticed.Inshallah, Like the Americans in Afghanistan & also the Indians, the chinese will learn the lesson the hard way. Proof: http://tribune.com.pk/story/223336/reconciliation-in-afghanistan-not-possible-without-pakistan/
The Government of Pakistan might surrender but not the people of pakistan and the army.
And it took 3 days for the chinese to come out in flying colours after the entire world tore apart pakistan... what a joke..
Indians cry me a river lololol
another CIA plot.....
We heard same kind of statements from Holbrooke, Mullen and other US officials, now its all over for US-Pakistan ties. Its China's turn now, let us see how far it runs.