China-Pakistan Relations - Timeline

Timeline

Important events:

1950 – Pakistan becomes the third non-communist country, and first Muslim one, to recognize the People's Republic of China.

1951 – Beijing and Karachi establish diplomatic relations.

1963 – Pakistan cedes the Trans-Karakoram Tract to China, ending border disputes.

1970 – Pakistan helps the U.S. arrange the 1972 Nixon visit to China.

1978 – The Karakoram Highway linking the mountainous Northern Pakistan with Western China officially opens.

1980s – China and the U.S. provide support through Pakistan to the Afghan guerrillas fighting Soviet occupational forces.

1986 – China and Pakistan reach a comprehensive nuclear co-operation agreement.

1996 – Chinese President Jiang Zemin pays a state visit to Pakistan.

1999 – A 300-megawatt nuclear power plant, built with Chinese help in Punjab province, is completed.

2001 – A joint-ventured Chinese-Pakistani tank, the MBT-2000 (Al-Khalid) MBT is completed.

2002 – The building of the Gwadar deep sea port begins, with China as the primary investor.

2003 – Pakistan and China signed a $110 million contract for the construction of a housing project on Multan Road in Lahore

2007 – The Sino-Pakistani joint-ventured multirole fighter aircraft – the JF-17 Thunder (FC-1 Fierce Dragon) is formally rolled out.

2008 – Pakistan welcomes the Chinese Olympic Torch in an Islamabad sports stadium, under heavy guard amidst security concerns.

2008 – China and Pakistan sign a free trade agreement.

2008 – Pakistan and China to build a railway through the Karakoram Highway, in order to link China's rail network to Gwadar Port.

2008 – The F-22P frigate, comes into service with the Pakistani Navy.

2009 – The ISI arrest several suspected Uyghur terrorists seeking refuge in Pakistan.

2010 – Pakistan and China conduct a joint anti-terrorism drill.

2010 – China donates $260 million in dollars to flood hit Pakistan and sends 4 military rescue helicopters to assist in rescue operations.

2010 – Wen Jiabao visits Pakistan. More than 30 billion dollars worth of deals were signed.

2011 – Pakistan is expected to buy air to air SD 10 missiles from China for its 250 JF 17 thunder fighter fleet

2013 - Management of Gwadar port is handed over to state-run Chinese Overseas Port Holdings after previously being managed by Singapore’s PSA International, and it becomes a matter of great concern for India.

2013 – Chinese Premier Li Keqiang visits Pakistan. Trade between China and Pakistan hit a 12-month figure of $12 billion for the first time in 2012.