China’s continued support for Pakistan-based terrorist groups is backfiring, threatening both its regional influence and its own security as India takes decisive military action in response to cross-border terrorism.
At a Glance
- China blocked India’s UN Security Council attempt to name terrorist groups responsible for the April 22 Kashmir attack
- India responded with Operation Sindoor, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan
- China’s support for Pakistan risks its China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) investment
- Chinese media amplified Pakistan’s narrative while discrediting India’s military actions
- China’s approach contradicts its global ambitions as a peace proponent
China’s Diplomatic Shield for Pakistan’s Terror Groups
A terrorist attack in Kashmir on April 22, carried out by Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and its front organization The Resistance Front (TRF), has exposed China’s problematic diplomatic stance toward terrorism in the region. When India attempted to name these terrorist groups at the UN Security Council following the attack, China blocked the effort, demonstrating clear support for Pakistan despite mounting evidence of state-sponsored terrorism. This diplomatic shielding has become a pattern in China’s foreign policy approach toward the India-Pakistan conflict.
The Chinese stance directly contradicts its self-portrayal as a responsible global power committed to peace and stability. By providing diplomatic cover to Pakistan-based terrorist organizations targeting India, Beijing has revealed the transactional nature of its approach to counterterrorism, applying different standards based on strategic convenience rather than principle. This selective approach has damaged China’s credibility on the global stage as a serious partner in combating terrorism.
#FPOpinion | How supporting Pakistan-based terrorism is disastrous for China
Shielding Pakistan’s proxy war undermines regional stability, jeopardises China’s economic interests, & strains Sino-Indian relations at a critical juncture,✍️ @AmbGurjitSingh https://t.co/gemZNjM5l4
— Firstpost (@firstpost) May 17, 2025
India’s Military Response and China’s Reaction
Following the terrorist attack, India launched Operation Sindoor, a targeted military action against terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied regions. Rather than acknowledging the legitimate counterterrorism objectives of this operation, China criticized India’s actions, further exposing the contradiction in Beijing’s approach. This criticism came despite China’s own aggressive counterterrorism measures within its borders, particularly in Xinjiang, where it justifies extensive security operations as necessary for national stability.
Chinese state media and social platforms quickly amplified Pakistan’s narrative following the Indian operation, actively working to discredit India’s military actions. This information campaign revealed China’s strategic anxiety over India’s growing assertiveness and willingness to protect its national security interests. The coordinated media response showed how deeply invested China has become in supporting Pakistan’s position, regardless of the underlying facts about terrorist activities.
The CPEC Factor in China’s Calculations
China’s unwavering support for Pakistan is intricately linked to protecting its massive investment in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship project of Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative. With an estimated value of $62 billion, CPEC runs through highly volatile regions, including Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Balochistan. By shielding Pakistan from international pressure over terrorism, China hopes to secure this crucial economic corridor and maintain its strategic foothold in the region.
From whatever has transpired in the last 7 days between India and Pakistan, I, with my limited understanding of geopolitics and national security, continue to wonder every moment:
What makes the world be TOTALLY okay with a failed state, run by a reckless, undisciplined army,…
— Parth Choudhury (@ChoudhuryParth) May 12, 2025
However, this strategy carries significant risks for China. By enabling Pakistan’s proxy terrorism against India, Beijing is contributing to regional instability that could ultimately threaten the very infrastructure projects it seeks to protect. The increasing frequency of terrorist attacks on Chinese nationals and CPEC projects in Pakistan demonstrates that this approach is already backfiring, as extremist elements within Pakistan grow bolder with perceived diplomatic immunity.
Long-term Consequences for China
China’s support for Pakistan-based terrorism carries serious long-term consequences. First, it undermines regional stability and economic development, jeopardizing China’s broader economic interests in South Asia. Second, it further strains already tense Sino-Indian relations, pushing India closer to Western powers and strengthening anti-China coalitions like the Quad. Third, it risks blowback within China itself, particularly in Xinjiang, where extremist ideologies could find fertile ground.
Perhaps most critically, China’s approach represents a missed opportunity to take a principled stand against terrorism that could have enhanced its global reputation. By choosing short-term strategic alignment with Pakistan over long-term regional stability, Beijing has revealed the limitations of its diplomatic vision. As India demonstrates increasing resolve to counter cross-border terrorism with military means, China’s strategy may ultimately prove not only morally questionable but strategically self-defeating.
