Chinese President Xi Jinping has called on Pakistan to intensify security measures for Chinese nationals working on Belt and Road infrastructure projects, following a series of militant attacks that have strained an otherwise close bilateral relationship.
Speaking during a meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin, Xi emphasized that ensuring the safety of Chinese personnel and investments is essential to maintaining momentum in Beijing’s regional development initiatives. “China supports Pakistan’s efforts to combat terrorism and hopes Islamabad will take effective measures to protect Chinese personnel, projects, and institutions, creating a secure environment for cooperation,” Xi said, according to a report from Xinhua News Agency.
Pakistan has been a central partner in China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), particularly through the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a multibillion-dollar network of transport, energy, and industrial projects stretching from Xinjiang to the Arabian Sea port of Gwadar. However, repeated attacks targeting Chinese engineers and construction staff, especially in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces, have raised serious safety concerns in recent years.
Beijing has expressed frustration over what it views as gaps in Pakistan’s security coordination. Chinese analysts quoted by CGTN noted that the security of Chinese workers is now seen as a prerequisite for sustaining future phases of CPEC. “Without reliable protection for personnel and assets, investment confidence will inevitably be affected,” one Beijing-based expert said.
In recent months, Islamabad has expanded security arrangements around CPEC sites, deploying special protection forces and intelligence units. Prime Minister Sharif assured Xi of Pakistan’s “firm commitment to safeguarding all Chinese projects and citizens.” However, his office’s official statement after the meeting did not directly reference the security issue, instead highlighting broader economic cooperation and trade goals.
The renewed focus on safety follows several high-profile incidents, including attacks on convoys and energy facilities linked to Chinese companies. These events have prompted Beijing to reassess risk management in BRI partner countries.
Observers say Xi’s comments reflect growing urgency in ensuring that economic cooperation is matched by credible on-ground security measures. The appeal also underscores China’s determination to preserve its image as a reliable development partner while minimizing exposure to geopolitical instability in South Asia.
