China Dodges Questions on Pakistan’s Use of Arms

Following the recent India-Pakistan conflict, the Chinese Defence Ministry declined to comment on the effectiveness of Chinese-made weapons used by Pakistan, including the advanced PL-15E air-to-air missile reportedly recovered by Indian forces. Chinese spokesperson Sr. Col. Zhang Xiaogang maintained that the PL-15E is an export item and avoided directly addressing Indian claims of underperformance by Chinese air defense and satellite systems. Zhang called for restraint from both sides and reiterated China's willingness to play a constructive role in maintaining regional peace. Chinese state media showed significant interest in the episode, but Beijing's official response did not address concerns about weapons performance or the risk of technology reverse engineering. The conflict underscored Beijing’s role as Pakistan’s primary arms supplier, accounting for over 80% of Pakistan's weapons imports between 2020 and 2024. The situation has highlighted the deepening technological and strategic ties between China and Pakistan and raised questions about their impact on regional security.