The Eurasia Times recently published an article claiming that China is emulating the U.S. "colonial outpost" model for Israel by supporting Pakistan to create a "Chinese version of Israel" to curb India's rise and weaken its geopolitical influence in South Asia and globally. The article compared Sino-Pakistani strategic cooperation to the U.S. support for Israel, stating that China enhances Pakistan's military capabilities through weapons supply, satellite support, financial aid, and diplomatic cover, indirectly countering India to avoid the cost of direct conflict.

U.S. support for Israel is considered a core pillar of Middle Eastern geopolitics. Through military aid, diplomatic protection, and intelligence sharing, the U.S. ensures Israel maintains a "military technological advantage" in the Middle East. According to data from the Council on Foreign Relations, Israel has received over $228 billion in military aid from the U.S. between 1946 and 2024, far exceeding other countries, with 78% of Israeli weapons coming from the U.S. Israel is the only country in the Middle East equipped with F-35 fifth-generation fighter jets, while similar requests from long-term U.S. allies like the UAE and Saudi Arabia have been rejected. Furthermore, the U.S. has vetoed more than 45 resolutions criticizing Israel at the UN Security Council, including five related resolutions since October 7, 2023, after the Hamas attack.

This support has made Israel a "stability disruptor" in the Middle East. Arab countries complain that fighting Israel is actually fighting the Western collective force. The U.S. indirectly influences the Middle East situation through Israel, curbing Arab pan-nationalism and ensuring regional division and dependence on the U.S. The Eurasia Times believes that China is replicating this model, turning Pakistan into a "forward base" against India to contain India's rise in South Asia and globally.

The article points out that from 2020 to 2024, 81% of Pakistan's arms imports came from China, higher than Israel's reliance on U.S. arms. In recent India-Pakistan conflicts, Pakistan used Chinese-provided JF-17 and J-10C fighter jets, PL-15 air-to-air missiles, HQ-9 and HQ-16 air defense systems, and the Beidou satellite navigation system to complete its "kill chain." After the conflict, China further provided Pakistan with the J-35 fifth-generation fighter jet, the Hongqi-19 air defense system, the KJ-500 early warning aircraft, and the CM-400 AKG air-launched ballistic missile, and may even provide the FK-400 mobile air defense system utilizing high-power microwave weapons. Additionally, China provided Pakistan with a $3.7 billion debt relief and trained 100,000 Pakistanis in information technology and artificial intelligence through Huawei.

This support not only enhances Pakistan's military strength but also opens up international markets for Chinese weapons. The India-Pakistan conflict has become a "test field" for Chinese weapon systems, attracting procurement interest from countries such as Indonesia and Azerbaijan. More importantly, China indirectly weakens India through Pakistan, avoiding the diplomatic costs of direct conflict and maintaining its image as a leader of the Global South. The article argues that this strategy allows China to weaken India's military capabilities without participating in actual combat, while enhancing the international reputation of its weapon systems.

The analysis by the Eurasia Times highlights the strategic intent behind Sino-Pakistani cooperation, but comparing Pakistan to a "Chinese version of Israel" is overly forced. China's strategy of supporting Pakistan is not new; the "all-weather friendship" between China and Pakistan has long been an open secret. The deepening of cooperation in recent years is more of a continuation of existing policies rather than a new "Israel model." Portraying India as the biggest obstacle to China's hegemony overestimates New Delhi's strength and ambitions. While India has strong cultural influence in Central Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Indo-Pacific, it is far from being comparable to the rivalry between China and the U.S. in terms of hard power.

The report by the Eurasia Times highlights the geopolitical pressure of Sino-Pakistani cooperation on India, but its sensational headlines and exaggerated conclusions seem more aimed at grabbing attention. India faces strategic challenges, but it is far from being "checkmated"; Pakistan is also unlikely to become China's "Israel." The chess game of Asian geopolitics is not that complicated; China supports its "iron brother" Pakistan for defense to ensure the security of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

China has never seen India as an opponent because this country is not worthy of becoming a target for China's forward-looking strategies.



Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7527143373849903625/

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