Pakistan expresses ‘surprise’ over Chinese envoy’s statement

ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office on Thursday expressed “surprise” over the Chinese ambassador’s statement on security issues in Pakistan.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said the statement by Ambassador Jiang Zaidong “does not reflect Islamabad and Beijing diplomatic tradition.”

During a weekly press briefing, Baloch emphasized that Chinese nationals in Pakistan are “important guests,” and the country remains committed to ensuring robust security and protection for Chinese citizens, projects, and companies operating within its borders.

“Islamabad is fully aware of Beijing’s concern over attacks on Chinese nationals and the Pakistani government has shared the investigation into the attacks with China,” Baloch said.

On Wednesday, Chinese ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong said such attacks were “unacceptable” for Beijing, news website Matrix Media reported.

“It is unacceptable for us to be attacked twice in only six months,” the Chinese diplomat stated, speaking through his interpreter. He stressed the need for Islamabad to take “effective remedial measures to prevent the recurrence of such terror acts and ensure that perpetrators are identified, caught, and punished.”

Baloch called the Chinese envoy’s response “surprising.”

The statement follows remarks from Ambassador Jiang Zaidong on October 29 at an event in Islamabad commemorating China’s 75th National Day. During the ceremony, Jiang expressed Beijing’s concerns over security threats facing Chinese citizens in Pakistan, urging enhanced measures to protect Chinese nationals and investments.

Ambassador Jiang highlighted that the safety of Chinese citizens is a top priority for President Xi Jinping, who has reiterated this concern with Pakistani leaders on multiple occasions.

In response, Deputy Prime Minister Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to ensuring the safety of Chinese nationals “at all costs.” Addressing the ceremony, Dar stated that most of those involved in attacks on Chinese citizens have been apprehended and reassured Chinese officials that Pakistan will spare no effort in safeguarding Chinese lives and assets.

Earlier this month, at least three people, including two Chinese nationals, were killed and 17 others injured in a suicide attack near Jinnah International Airport in Karachi.

Also read: Karachi attack an assault on Pak-China friendship: Pakistan

In March, a suicide bomber killed at least five Chinese nationals in the Shangla district of northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, who were working on the Dasu Hydropower Project in the remote Kohistan district.

On October 16, Chinese Premier Li Qiang held talks with his Pakistani counterpart Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad, underscoring the need and urgency to “jointly” create a safe environment for cooperation between the two countries.

The public display of displeasure by the two sides is a rare development in the fraternal ties between the two neighbors.

China and Pakistan boast of “iron brother” relations and have maintained close cooperation over decades.

Additional input from Anadolu news agency