Pakistan and China have entered into a significant partnership that is altering the geopolitical dynamics of the region. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a crucial element of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), stands as one of the most substantial infrastructural and economic collaborations in South Asia. However, this alliance has not come without repercussions: there has been a troubling increase in targeted assaults on Chinese nationals in Pakistan, particularly from separatist and insurgent factions in Balochistan. These violent incidents have disrupted the security landscape of the area and raised questions regarding the long-term viability of CPEC initiatives. During Chinese Premier Li Qiang’s visit to Pakistan in 2024—the first by a Chinese premier in over a decade—officials from both nations committed to bolstering security measures for Chinese personnel and their projects. Despite these diplomatic assurances, attacks on Chinese citizens persist, with nearly 100 fatalities reported in recent years. This article explores the roots and motivations behind these assaults, highlighting recent occurrences, critical statistics, and the wider implications for regional security.
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