The China-Pakistan Axis: Asia's New Geopolitics 1st Edition

Informative reading and a useful introductory work for a fairly new field of study. The endnotes and bibliography also are helpful

Useful

An excellent insight into an often neglected regional relationship. This relationship has regional as well as global impact and U.S.A must pay serious attention to this before any damage is done.

Excellent read

Andrew Small sheds light on one of the least known, yet strategically significant, relationships in international relations; the informal alliance between China and Pakistan. Virtually unacknowledged in the West, China and Pakistan's co-operation over the previous five decades has touched many areas; military, some economic and even some logistical and scientific issues. These two nations could very well hold the key to a politically stable future Asian continent and also the growing threat to both of militant Islam groups.Firstly, it needs to be said, Small highlights categorically that the alliance between China and Pakistan, despite being decades old, has never been entirely formal in nature. No treaties, agreements, pacts or unions have ever been signed between the two. This should not reduce the importance of the axis to either party, however, and is indeed one of the reasons why it has remained 'hidden' for so long. The strategic benefit of the axis to both nations is explained in detailThe vast extent of the axis has and continues to be military in nature. Since the Sino-Indian War of 1962, China has regularly supplied arms and logistics to Pakistan, seeing her as a counterpoint to a local strategic rival; India. This grew after the 'Smiling Buddha' detonation of an atomic bomb by India during the mid-1970s, and here is where the author hits the crucial pivot of the China/Pakistan axis; the supplying of nuclear capability to the Pakistan government.Small makes it abundantly clear that it's not simply a case of China shipping nuclear weapons to Islamabad. Co-operation, collusion and exchanges of ideas are apparent. A simplistic view is that of Chinese brawn and Pakistani brains working together, but further research emphasizes an element of both brawn and brain by each side. Pakistani knowledge of rocket technology, however, was not quite so sophisticated and China has basically supplied an effective delivery system to the Pakistanis over the years. Whilst being interpreted as rash, this is considered to have helped stabilize the India-Pakistan situation to some extent. The economic aspect of the axis is somewhat weaker. Trade and investment has been apparent but this has been to a much lesser extent than the military ties established between the two. Mega-projects have begun in Pakistan with major Chinese investment, however, they have not always been successful. Communication projects such as the building of highways across the borders have also been accomplished.It needs to be documented that the axis has not always led to a smooth relationship between China and Pakistan. China has been willing to support Pakistan diplomatically and militarily against Indian aggression, but this is not extended to the opposite direction. There are limits, and China has made clear its willingness to only go so far in supporting Pakistan. The issue of Islamic militancy also rears its ugly features. Whilst more of a secondary target to extremists, China has still become increasingly frustrated with Islamabad's inability to properly deal with the problem caused by militants in Xinjiang. Muslim Uighur militancy is a more 'low-intensity' issue compared to that waged in the West, but it is still clearly a grave concern to Beijing. You'll need to read more to discover the rest.This is a very enjoyable and informative book. Small has clearly done his research here. He has also not restricted his work to simple bilateral relations and includes the areas where the United States, the Central Asian republics and also Afghanistan have been relevant to the relationship and also how they've influenced it too.An excellent introduction to a fascinating topic.

The Prologue quickly got my attention - author Small attributed the government in Afghanistan post 9/11 as installed by the Pakistani governmen, and asserted that despite the Taliban being led, armed and financed from Pakistan, the relationship with the U.S. remained strong. Ironically, Pakistan was seen as a crucial ally in our Global War on Terrorism, receiving billions in military aid and arms transfers. Meanwhile, China had built and mostly paid for a new Pakistani port at Gwadar, and there was hope of strong economic benefits from ties to China - eg. expansion of the Chashma nuclear power plants.The Prologue open with the story of the kidnapping of Chinese massage workers by Red Mosque militants (terrorists) in Pakistan. The U.S. had pushed Pakistan for years to take action against these group, but not until Beijing intervened was serious action undertaken.China's backing for Pakistan led to it providing that nation the materials needed to build an A-bomb. It is central to Beijing's plans for a network of ports, pipelines, roads and railways connecting the oil and gas fields of the Middle East to its mega-cities, and its coastline is becoming a staging post for China's take-off as a naval power. Pakistan's intelligence services are also seen as an asset to China's growing interests in the Islamic world, as well as to choking off support for militant Islamic activities within its own borders. And, an India forced to look nervously at its western neighbor is easier for Beijing to manage.China has also become increasingly concerned with about prospects for Afghanistan after U.S. withdrawal., accentuated by fears over the worsening terrorist threat within China.China is poised to build two 1,100 MW reactors ($5 billion each) with a new design less than 20 miles from downtown Karachi.Shortly after the Osama bin Laden was killed by the Americans in 2011, the Pakistan government showed the Chinese the crashed U.S. stealth helicopter. Previously Pakistan did the same thing with U.S. cruise missiles. In return, China has provided technological assistance and materials for Pakistan's nuclear and missile programs. China has also told the Pakistanis from time to time, not to alienate the U.S. too much - to help constrain U.S.-India ties and benefit from more U.S. financial and military aid.

It is an interesting book about historic and emerging relation between Pakistan and China. If one looks at both countries, there is not much common between them, culturally or economically. However, since 60s there has been strong relation between the two. The one common factor that has been and continues to be between the two countries is: India. As China rises, this relation with Pakistan could become even bigger nuisance for India and other countries. There is not a lot of information out there about Pak-China relation, Andrew Small does a great job trying to explain it.

The ultimate book on one of the most important and fascinating relationships in international affairs today.

Andrew Small sheds light on one of the least known, yet strategically significant, relationships in international relations; the informal alliance between China and Pakistan. Virtually unacknowledged in the West, China and Pakistan's co-operation over the previous five decades has touched many areas; military, some economic and even some logistical and scientific issues. These two nations could very well hold the key to a politically stable future Asian continent and also the growing threat to both of militant Islam groups.Firstly, it needs to be said, Small highlights categorically that the alliance between China and Pakistan, despite being decades old, has never been entirely formal in nature. No treaties, agreements, pacts or unions have ever been signed between the two. This should not reduce the importance of the axis to either party, however, and is indeed one of the reasons why it has remained 'hidden' for so long. The strategic benefit of the axis to both nations is explained in detailThe vast extent of the axis has and continues to be military in nature. Since the Sino-Indian War of 1962, China has regularly supplied arms and logistics to Pakistan, seeing her as a counterpoint to a local strategic rival; India. This grew after the 'Smiling Buddha' detonation of an atomic bomb by India during the mid-1970s, and here is where the author hits the crucial pivot of the China/Pakistan axis; the supplying of nuclear capability to the Pakistan government.Small makes it abundantly clear that it's not simply a case of China shipping nuclear weapons to Islamabad. Co-operation, collusion and exchanges of ideas are apparent. A simplistic view is that of Chinese brawn and Pakistani brains working together, but further research emphasizes an element of both brawn and brain by each side. Pakistani knowledge of rocket technology, however, was not quite so sophisticated and China has basically supplied an effective delivery system to the Pakistanis over the years. Whilst being interpreted as rash, this is considered to have helped stabilize the India-Pakistan situation to some extent. The economic aspect of the axis is somewhat weaker. Trade and investment has been apparent but this has been to a much lesser extent than the military ties established between the two. Mega-projects have begun in Pakistan with major Chinese investment, however, they have not always been successful. Communication projects such as the building of highways across the borders have also been accomplished.It needs to be documented that the axis has not always led to a smooth relationship between China and Pakistan. China has been willing to support Pakistan diplomatically and militarily against Indian aggression, but this is not extended to the opposite direction. There are limits, and China has made clear its willingness to only go so far in supporting Pakistan. The issue of Islamic militancy also rears its ugly features. Whilst more of a secondary target to extremists, China has still become increasingly frustrated with Islamabad's inability to properly deal with the problem caused by militants in Xinjiang. Muslim Uighur militancy is a more 'low-intensity' issue compared to that waged in the West, but it is still clearly a grave concern to Beijing. You'll need to read more to discover the rest.This is a very enjoyable and informative book. Small has clearly done his research here. He has also not restricted his work to simple bilateral relations and includes the areas where the United States, the Central Asian republics and also Afghanistan have been relevant to the relationship and also how they've influenced it too.An excellent introduction to a fascinating topic.

I read this book as a complete novice on the specifics of the China-Pakistan relationship, beyond knowing that it was important. I could not have asked for a clearer account of the relationship's history and current condition. Engagingly written and artfully constructed, I couldn't put it down, and feel much more informed and able to make sense of events in this region of the world.

'' Pakistan is China's Israel ''. - General Xiong GuangkaiThe China - Pakistan axis, Asia's new geopolitics, is brilliantly researched book, and here the author revealed some of the dark - secrets of the two very strange lovers, who are busy in making intense love to each other, without caring what the world will say about their clandestine relationship.Infact Pakistan was the first muslim nation who recognized the ' People Republic of China ' in the 1950s, since then, both have become the so-called "All-weather Friends", and the foundation of this friendship was based on the mutual hatred towards India.The author has rightly mentioned that during the three Indo-Pak wars of 1947-48, 1965 and 1971, china supported pakistan through thick and thin and also supplied them arms and ammunition and the moral support without any preconditions. But when Pakistan was defeated by the Indian security forces in the 1971 liberation of bangladesh war, china decided to give pakistan which no other sensible country would do, they gave Pakistan the technology to develop 'Nuclear weapon'. Though Uncle Sam was also responsible for turning a blind-eye on the Pakistan's clandestine nuclear programme.With the acquisition of the Nuclear weapons by pakistan with the help of China, the strategic balance in the Indian subcontinent is changed dramatically, and the best example of this was the 1999-Kargil war, 2001- Indian Parliament attack & The 2008 Mumbai Attacks, in all of these terrorist activities, pakistan and its ''Deep-State'' was heavily involved, but because of the dangers of the all-out ''Nuclear-war'', the successive Indian governments avoided the war with the most fragile nuclear power nation i.e. Pakistan.The author also discussed that how China is coming out of its shell and started playing a very assertive role in the international diplomacy, and the current example is Afghanistan, where China is the only country who has maintained good relations with all the stakeholders- the Afghan government, the Afghan Taliban, USA, Russian, the former northern alliance, and most importantly with Pakistan.Though the relationship of China and Pakistan had seen many ups and downs but still it survived throughout, unlike the relationship of pakistan with the Americans, and with the recent announcements of the grand projects like, 'One belt and One Road' (OBOR) and China-Pakistan Economic corridor (CPEC), this relationship between the two countries are converted into a kind of marriage, where both the bride and groom are happy with each other.The author has really done a good amount of research before writing this book, and he also travelled to, Pakistan, China, India, United States and Afghanistan for his research. I recommend this book only to those readers who loves reading about pakistan, and also to students of international studies , Because this book requires lots of patience to be read.My Ratings : ⭐⭐ ⭐⭐ (4/5)I hope you like the Review, thanks for reading, Jai Hind.Table of contents :----------------------------* A friendship Forged by war* Nuclear fusion* Re-hyphenating India* The Chinese war on terror* The trade across the roof of the world* Tea with the Taliban* Lord, make them leave- but not yet* The dragon meets the lion

This is very good book on geopolitics. The focus of author in this book is about close and effective friendship of china and pakistan on every domain.How this nexus can be harmful for India.interesting book for anyone who is interested on geopolitics affecting India.

A great read.