questions on how the likes of Hafiz Saeed and Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, have been able to access funds in Pakistan despite a UN ban. The Chinese stand against Azhar ban continues despite the
China has already been declared as “next enemy number one” of Islam by Al Qaeda and ISIS which support the ETIM
fact that in September, China had, for the first time, relented to
continues to protect Azhar with
add terrorist groups like JeM and
including specific criticism of the
the larger aim of preventing
Taliban to the list of its enemies.
JeM and other Pakistani terror
international community from
Finally, the basic reason for
outfits in the statement issued
declaring Pakistan as a State that
the block of course is regional
at the BRICS Summit in Xiamen.
sponsors terrorism. This is one of
supremacy and China-India
During the BRICS Summit, Brazil,
the reasons that China continues
rivalry. China does not want India
Russia, India, China and South
to undermine India’s efforts in
to have its say at UN and other
Africa had named Pakistan-based
this direction. And for the same
international forums and that
terror groups like the LeT and the
reason, China is continuously
explains its stance on Masood
JeM for causing violence in the
trying to involve Pakistan in
Azhar or the Indian bid to
region. They had also asserted that
various international forums and
enter NSG.
those responsible for committing,
regional dialogues to protect it
organising or supporting terror
from international isolation, more
China’s Double Standards
acts must be held accountable.
so after change in US policy
Since, Beijing is already well
While China also faces protracted
towards Pakistan.
aware of the risks of increased connections between Uyghur
Islamist insurgency in Xinjiang but Beijing and New Delhi are not
Another reason for China’s stance
terrorist groups and more
on the same page over Islamist
is the threat, that strict action
established organisations
terrorism. This is because China’s
against Pak-based terrorist
such as Al Qaeda, ISIS or the
counter-terrorism measures
groups like JeM could turn them
Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan
exclude the US and India. Chinese
against Pakistan State with
(IMU), India had expected China
authorities have historically
grave implications for Chinese
to be more understanding of the
treated New Delhi as a geopolitical
investments in terms of CPEC in
danger posed to all countries
rival. India’s growing ties with the
Pakistan. Indirectly, it may not
by terrorism, but its stand to
US are also perceived as a threat
be incorrect to say that Masood
continually block the move to ban
in Beijing; therefore, China prefers
Azhar is providing ‘protection’ to
Azhar showed the “prevalence
not to cooperate with India. China,
Chinese assets in Pakistan
of double standards in the fight
along with Pakistan and Russia,
and Taliban does the same in
against terrorism.” There is enough
which has recently been warming
Afghanistan. China has a major
evidence that ETIM has training
up to Pakistan, is trying to cobble
stake in Afghanistan as well and
bases in Pakistan but China
up regional forums on security,
statements have been made by the
continues to downplay the role
keeping India out of it.
Taliban in the past that it would
of its all-weather ally, Pakistan.
not target infrastructure projects
While China, unlike Pakistan,
in Afghanistan. China has already
may not be supporting Islamic
As per Siegfried O. Wolf, a
been declared as “next enemy
terrorism as a policy tool across
researcher at the University
number one” of Islam by Al Qaeda
the board, but is certainly using
of Heidelberg’s South Asia
and ISIS which support the ETIM.
it selectively against India for a
Institute, China’s diplomatic
In such circumstances, China
number of reasons analysed by
support for Pakistan-based
finds it more suitable to neglect its
Indian and Western experts
militants is multi-faceted. China
relations with India rather than
on the subject.
China’s Strategy
April 2018
DEFENCE AND SECURITY ALERT
49