China Confirms On-Site Military Support to Pakistan During Operation Sindoor
Primary region Asia
Tags Security · Diplomacy
Regions Asia · China
Chinese state broadcaster CCTV aired an interview with AVIC engineer Zhang Heng confirming that Chinese personnel provided on-site technical support to Pakistan's Air Force during Operation Sindoor (May 7-10, 2025), the India-Pakistan military clash triggered by the Pahalgam terror attack. India's MEA said the reports 'corroborate what was known earlier' and warned nations to 'reflect on whether supporting or protecting terrorist infrastructure affects their reputation and standing.' Pakistan's Air Force operates Chinese-made J-10CE jets produced by an AVIC subsidiary. The revelations coincide with the first anniversary of Operation Sindoor.
Strategic interpretation
China's public acknowledgment of direct military involvement in the India-Pakistan conflict — a year after the fact — signals Beijing's confidence in its strategic partnership with Islamabad and willingness to accept reputational costs with New Delhi. For India, this confirmation strengthens the case for diversifying defense partnerships and accelerating indigenous military production. The timing, coinciding with the Trump-Xi summit, may also be a signal to Washington about China's regional security commitments.