Pak–China Friendly Relations and the Imperative of Linguistic Reciprocity
Discussing a sensitive subject such as international relations requires a high degree of understanding, balance, and intellectual maturity. In Pakistan, conversations about foreign policy—particularly Pak–China relations—are often marked by great enthusiasm and emotional warmth. From foreign policy experts to educated members of the general public, one phrase is repeatedly invoked: that the friendship between China and Pakistan is “higher than the Himalayas, deeper than the oceans, and sweeter than honey.” In contrast, the United States and the Western world are frequently portrayed as unreliable or insignificant in comparison, while China is presented as a power that has surpassed all others and continues to advance rapidly.
As a student of history and political science, one cannot deny the importance and strategic value of Pak–China friendship. It is indeed a matter of satisfaction that a superpower is rising in our immediate neighborhood, achieving remarkable progress at an extraordinary pace. Although China’s rapid industrial and economic growth has had certain environmental repercussions—such as changes in regional climate patterns and increasing air pollution—the people of Pakistan appear willing to accept this cost in exchange for enduring friendship and economic partnership.
Historically, the towering Himalayas once stood as a formidable natural barrier between Pakistan and China. Today, however, that barrier has effectively been overcome. The revival of the Silk Road and the implementation of the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) have significantly facilitated trade, travel, and communication between the two countries. This transformation resembles earlier historical examples, such as the extensive road networks that connected the former Soviet Union with Afghanistan, making movement and commerce relatively seamless.
China’s role in Pakistan’s development is steadily expanding. Pakistani markets are now flooded with Chinese products, much as Afghan markets once were dominated by Soviet goods. Educated Afghans of that era often spoke fluent Russian. Similarly, Chinese nationals working in Pakistan frequently speak fluent Urdu. When they converse in Urdu, many Pakistanis assume they belong to regions such as Hunza, Gilgit, or other areas adjacent to the Chinese border, especially as their adopted local names often resemble Pakistani ones for convenience and cultural integration.
However, it is deeply unfortunate that despite widespread disillusionment with the West and the United States, Pakistanis continue to speak English fluently while remaining largely unfamiliar with the Chinese language. Among millions of Pakistanis, only a handful can even greet Chinese friends in their native language, let alone read or write it. This linguistic imbalance is striking, particularly given the depth of bilateral cooperation.History offers a relevant parallel.
During the later Mughal period in India, officials of the East India Company spoke local languages fluently, while the indigenous population remained largely unfamiliar with English. This eventually compelled the British to establish institutions such as the Delhi Anglo-Oriental College and Fort William College in Calcutta to promote linguistic and cultural exchange, particularly the development of Urdu.
These efforts reflected the British desire to communicate, govern, and integrate more effectively with local society. Credit must also be given to reformers like Sir Syed Ahmad Khan and other visionary leaders, who responded with wisdom by promoting English education, enabling Muslims of the subcontinent to progress in a changing world.
Today, Pakistan stands at a similar crossroads. While English has played a crucial role in our development, the future trajectory of our economic and strategic partnerships increasingly points toward China. The urgent need of the hour is to institutionalize the teaching and learning of the Chinese language without waiting for another Sir Syed to emerge. Delays will only cause the nation to fall behind in the global race for progress.
This time, action must replace procrastination. While Chinese citizens continue to learn Urdu to communicate with us, we remain largely indifferent to their language. The question is: how long will Chinese friends continue to converse with us in Urdu? As the founding leader of modern China, Mao Zedong, once implied, China is not a mute nation that must rely on foreign languages to express itself. True friendship and equal partnership demand linguistic reciprocity—and the time to act is now.
