Evolving Chinese Relationship with Pakistan

Pakistan’s defense minister said China has agreed to take over operation of the strategically positioned but underused port of Gwadar, and that Islamabad would like the Chinese to build a base there for the Pakistani navy…..

Mr. Mukhtar made the announcement after accompanying Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani on a visit to China last week. During that visit, Pakistani officials say, Beijing agreed to expedite delivery of a second batch of 50 jointly developed JF-17 fighter jets to Pakistan, possibly within six months…..

The fighter agreement prompted India’s defense minister, A.K. Antony, to express serious concern in a meeting with reporters late Friday about the growing defense ties between China and Pakistan, and to assert that India’s only possible response was to build up its own military arsenal. .

http://professional.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303654804576339323765033308.html?mod=WSJ_World_LEFTSecondNews&mg=reno-wsj

5/22/2011

By JEREMY PAGE

The Wall Street Journal