China on Wednesday dissociated itself from reports that its fighter aircraft were employed by Pakistan in the latter’s purported retaliatory action against India’s airstrikes on terror camps under Operation Sindoor in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian, responding to a question on reported Chinese-made jet involvement, replied, “Not familiar with the matter,” during a standard press conference in Beijing.
The explanation follows after Pakistan Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, in an interview quoted by CNN, asserted that Chinese-made J-10C fighter jets were employed to shoot down five Indian fighter planes. The Pakistani Air Force, as per Dar, targeted three French-made Rafale aircraft, one MiG-29, and one Su-30 after India conducted its most widespread cross-border attacks since 1971.
Dar also said that at 4 a.m. on Wednesday, the entire Chinese delegation, including the ambassador, was at Pakistan’s Foreign Office to get updates about the situation in real time.
Even though China is Pakistan’s biggest arms supplier providing more than 80% of its weapons imports over the past five years, as per SIPRI China did not confirm any military cooperation or equipment deployment in this incident.
In the face of increasing regional tensions, the Chinese authorities urged restraint and called on India and Pakistan to defuse the situation. Lin Jian said China “expressed regret over India’s military action against Pakistan” and urged that regional stability be preserved.
India’s Operation Sindoor, in response to the Pahalgam terror attack, targeted nine terror locations in PoK and Pakistani territory. The action has created increased tensions along the Line of Control, raising the fear of further escalation.
As diplomatic talks continue, Beijing is trying to keep its fingers crossed, seeking to hold onto strategic relationships with both New Delhi and Islamabad, while calling for peace and dialogue.
