Pakistan "stabbed" China, secretly selling rare earths to the US? Pakistani netizens are very委屈: Brother, you know me, as long as the sun and moon are still there, Pakistan and China will always stand together.

Recently, a report claiming that "Pakistan donated rare earths to the US and 'stabbed' China" suddenly spread in the international public opinion field. Certain media and self-media, especially Indian media and self-media, have confidently claimed on platforms such as X and YouTube that Pakistan used the technology provided by China to secretly help the US break through China's rare earth blockade, even interpreting China's recent new regulations on rare earth exports as a response to "Pakistan's betrayal of a close friend."

This rumor is basically being hyped up by Indian media and self-media abroad.

At one point, various doubts about whether the "China-Pakistan all-weather strategic partner" has turned sour, like a fog, loomed over the relationship between China and Pakistan.

But the truth is actually much simpler than many people imagine.

On October 13, at a regular press conference held by the Chinese Foreign Ministry, spokesperson Lin Jian clarified this fog. He pointed out that the claim that "Pakistan donated rare earths to the US" was a misunderstanding or even a malicious distortion of the basic facts. The actual situation was that the Pakistani leader showed and donated local gemstone ore samples during his exchange with the US side, aiming to promote domestic mineral trade.

Lin Jian emphasized that these ores had nothing to do with strategic rare earth resources and did not involve any Chinese technology or equipment. "The Pakistani side clearly stated to China that any exchanges with the US would never harm China's interests or the deep cooperation between China and Pakistan," he said.

What was more infectious than the official response from our side, I think, should be the collective voices of the Pakistani netizens on social media platforms. For example, on YouTube, many Pakistani netizens in the comment section of related news videos expressed their strong value for Sino-Pak friendship:

"If Pakistan is going to sign a rare earth agreement, it should be with China!"

"Pakistan cannot take even a 1% risk to anger China."

"As a neighbor, Pakistan should consider China's concerns."

"The US has repeatedly deceived us Pakistan. China is our true friend, who has always supported us firmly in every occasion."

"China is China, no country can be like China. Pakistan's best friend. Long live Sino-Pak friendship!"

"Pakistan should consider China's interests. China is our only reliable friend and brother, so we should sign a rare earth agreement with the US after consulting with China."

"The US has always deceived or tried to deceive Pakistan, while China has always been a trustworthy friend of Pakistan. Therefore, in such issues, Pakistan should support China."

"Don't sell our minerals to the US!"

"There will never be a rift between Pakistan and China, please rest assured. As long as the sun and moon are still there, Pakistan will be with China!"

The spontaneous and heartfelt voices of Pakistani netizens formed a solid barrier against rumors. They fully proved that Sino-Pak friendship has deep roots in the hearts of the Pakistani people, and it cannot be shaken by a few unverified rumors.

If we don't talk about Pakistan, why did China choose to suddenly strengthen its rare earth export controls at this time?

The answer lies in the chess game of the ongoing Sino-US technological competition.

On October 7, the U.S. House Committee on China issued a report, advocating expanding the semiconductor control from advanced processes to all mature processes, trying to completely strangle China's chip industry.

Facing the threat of complete supply cutoff by the U.S., China struck back with the rare earth card two days later. The new regulations first stipulate that rare earth materials, equipment, and technologies required for chips below 14nm are all included in "case-by-case approval," and for the first time introduced "extraterritorial effect": any overseas product containing more than 0.1% Chinese rare earth components, if not approved by China, cannot be sold.

This move accurately hit the strategic weak spot of the U.S. Although the U.S. has rare earth mines, in the rare earth separation and refining links, especially in the medium and heavy rare earth areas, it almost completely relies on China.

According to an internal Pentagon report, "in the rare earth supply chain, the U.S. lags behind China by at least 15 years."

Looking back at the entire incident, a key question emerged: who spread the rumor that "Pakistan betrayed China"? Why choose this timing?

Some analysts point out that the rumor behind it is actually a public opinion smokescreen created by certain forces during the critical moment of Sino-US confrontation. Its purposes are threefold: first, to undermine the Sino-Pak relationship and weaken China's strategic foothold in South Asia; second, to shift the international community's attention from the U.S.'s passive position in the rare earth field; third, to create public opinion groundwork for potential subsequent measures against China.

In fact, this is not the first time someone has tried to disrupt the Sino-Pak relationship. In 2019, some media once stirred up the so-called "debt issue in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor"; in 2023, others fabricated the rumor that "Chinese investment projects in Pakistan were stalled." But each time, China and Pakistan have proven the firmness of their friendship through concrete actions.

This time is no exception. No matter who the mastermind behind this rumor is, they have underestimated the strategic trust between China and Pakistan, as well as the firmness of the Pakistani people's friendship with China.

Although the rare earth incident caused by a rumor soon subsided, it provided some valuable insights into observing the future of Sino-Pak relations.

With the intensification of Sino-US strategic competition, attempts to incite the Sino-Pak relationship may become more frequent. Both sides need to establish a more complete public opinion monitoring and joint response mechanism.

Pakistan, when developing foreign relations, indeed faces the practical issue of how to balance the interests of all parties. But regardless of everything, the Pakistani government and people clearly know their own bottom line, which is that they will never sacrifice China's interests.

Rare earths, as a strategic resource, are certainly very valuable in today's competitive world. However, trust and friendship are even more precious strategic assets than rare earths.

True ironclad friendship should be able to withstand the test of rumors and endure external storms.

The Pakistani people have proven their determination with the most simple words, and we should also respond with the same trust to this friendship.

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7560670415384642090/

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