Pakistan has deep, "all-weather" strategic ties with China, viewing it as a reliable, time-tested partner, especially for defense, while maintaining a more complex, often "transactional" relationship with the US, marked by periods of close cooperation (like during the Cold War and post-9/11) and strained periods, with recent efforts by Pakistan to balance both relationships, often prioritizing China.
Aid from the United States since 9/11
Pakistan is a major non-NATO ally as part of the war on terrorism, and a leading recipient of U.S. aid. Between 2002 and 2013, Pakistan received $26 billion in economic and military aid and sales of military equipment.
Pakistan was one of the first countries that recognize the People Republic of China. Over the years, the relationship has blossomed into an & All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership. Pakistan considers China as one of its closest friends and partners and China considers Pakistan as its Iron Brother.
Consequently, the primarily geopolitical alliance between Pakistan and China has since 1990 branched out into military and economic cooperation, due to Pakistan's belief that the U.S. influence and support in the region should be counterbalanced by the Chinese.
Pakistan has close bilateral ties with China and the Muslim world, including Turkey, Azerbaijan, and the Gulf Arab countries.
China is the only neighbouring country where the relationship has been very positive, with both countries sharing geopolitical interests. China has been Pakistan's most reliable ally, particularly with military and defence collaboration.
Pakistan is a key ally for Australia in the war on terror, and has played a pivotal role in efforts to dismantle global terrorist networks such as Al Qaeda.
The militaries of the two countries have had historically close ties, and Pakistan was once described as "America's most allied ally in Asia" by Dwight D. Eisenhower, reflecting shared interests in security and stability across South Asia, Central Asia, and parts of Eastern Europe.
Visitor visa
Travelers need a visa to visit China for Business or Tourism. Travelers must obtain a paper or embassy visa from an embassy, consulate or visa center before traveling. Travelers must first log in to the China Online Visa Application System to complete the online visa form and upload required documents.
------ Beside Israel, the other two are not recognized due to Pakistan's relationships with Azarbijan and China. Initially it was Afghanistan who didn't recognize Pakistan but later recognized. Armenia is the only country who didn't recognize Pakistan.
Mutual diplomacy
Both countries established regular diplomatic missions on 18 April 1952, just ten days after the ratification of the Japanese peace treaty. Therefore, Pakistan established diplomatic and trade contacts with Japan since 1948 – long before Japanese sovereignty was restored by the Allied Powers.
NATO has developed relations with a range of countries beyond the Euro-Atlantic area, considering Pakistan as "partners across the globe." Lobbied and with a support provided by United States Secretary of State, General (retired) Colin Powell, Pakistan is designated as a "Major non-NATO ally" as of 2004.
Peoples Republic of China is the best friend of Pakistan who has always supported us on various international forums. Not only that China has maintained close and cordial relationship with Pakistan in different fields all these years.
The slogan "Death to America" is a common refrain among politicians and rallies in Pakistan. For most of its history, Pakistan has had turbulent relations with the United States, leading to deep-rooted public antipathy.
Historically, Pakistan refused to "recognize" Armenia due to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, despite the fact that Armenia and Azerbaijan have themselves always recognised each other as sovereign states ever since they both gained independence during the dissolution of the Soviet Union in ...
Travelers need a visa to visit Pakistan for Business or Tourism. A Pakistan eVisa is the fastest way to obtain a visa. Travelers can apply online. Once approved, travelers receive their eVisa confirmation electronically.
To the reader familiar with the economic dynamics of that region, it should come as no surprise that the largest foreign investor to Pakistan in both years was China, with $ 6,219 million and $ 6,302 million inward investment towards Pakistan, respectively.
China's "0.1% rule" refers to its 2025 export controls that require licenses for products containing 0.1% or more (by value) of certain Chinese-origin rare earth elements or technologies, extending China's regulatory reach globally to materials like magnets, semiconductors, and defense components, even if manufactured outside China. This extraterritorial control, similar to the U.S. Foreign Direct Product Rule, aims to leverage China's dominance in rare earth supply chains for strategic influence, impacting high-tech industries by requiring approval for exports and potentially disrupting global supply chains.
In October 2025, China exported mostly to United States ($34.9B), Hong Kong ($30.7B), Vietnam ($16.6B), Japan ($13B), and South Korea ($10.8B), and imported mostly from Chinese Taipei ($19.8B), South Korea ($16.3B), Japan ($14.4B), Russia ($11B), and Australia ($10.7B).
Canada was the largest purchaser of U.S. goods exports in 2022, accounting for 17.3 percent of total U.S. goods exports. The top five purchasers of U.S. goods exports in 2022 were: Canada ($356.5 billion), Mexico ($324.3 billion), China ($150.4 billion), Japan ($80.2 billion), and the United Kingdom ($76.2 billion).
The India–Pakistan cricket rivalry is one of the most intense sports rivalries in the world. Matches between the teams are considered some of the biggest in the world and are among the most-viewed in all of sports. The two teams have played a total of 211 times, with Pakistan winning 88 matches and India winning 80.
While the United States (US) is Australia's key strategic ally and often seen as a very close partner by leaders, public opinion polls consistently show New Zealand as Australia's "best friend" in the world, followed by the US and then the United Kingdom, reflecting deep cultural and historical ties with both neighbors.