China’s ‘Rejuvenation’ plan includes the US Pentagon’s claim over Arunachal Pradesh and highlights the growing friendship between China and Pakistan.
A recent Pentagon report submitted to the US Congress has flagged China’s claim on Arunachal Pradesh as part of Beijing’s alleged “core interests”.
placing the Indian state in China’s long-term national strategy along with Taiwan and major maritime disputes.
It also highlights the extent of growing cooperation and partnership between Beijing and Islamabad.
China’s leadership has expanded the scope of its core interests to include Taiwan.
The report said China’s leadership has expanded the scope of its core interests to include Taiwan, sovereignty and maritime claims in the South China Sea.
the Senkaku Islands and Arunachal Pradesh, making these objectives central to achieving the “great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation” by 2049.
Chinese officials have described the unification of China and disputed territories – particularly Taiwan – as a “natural requirement” for national rejuvenation.
the report said. Under this vision, a revitalized China would operate at a higher global level and field a “world-class”
military capable of “fighting and winning” while “firmly defending” sovereignty, security and development interests. On India-China relations,
the report pointed out that in October 2024, two days before the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping at the BRICS summit,
The Indian leadership announced an agreement with China on disengagement from the remaining standoff points along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
That meeting marked the beginning of monthly high-level engagements, including border management,
direct flights, visa facilitation and exchanges of academics and journalists.
China is seen as trying to take advantage of the easing of tensions on the LAC to stabilize relations and prevent deepening of US-India ties.
Although India is expected to remain cautious, as mutual distrust is likely to hamper the relationship, the report said.
The report also highlights China’s growing military and strategic cooperation with Pakistan.
Beijing continues to co-produce JF-17 fighter aircraft with Pakistan and remains the sole buyer of the Chinese J-10 multirole fighter aircraft.
China has also supplied armed drones to Pakistan and several other countries and is a major naval supplier to Islamabad.
reflecting Pakistan’s $3 billion purchase of eight Yuan-class submarines.
Beyond arms transfers, the Pentagon’s assessment said China is considering Pakistan as a potential location for future PLA military logistics facilities.
as part of its broader foreign basing strategy beyond Djibouti. The report also talked about the China-Pakistan intelligence agreement signed in 2020.
which expanded cooperation on counter-terrorism operations in Pakistan and Afghanistan, particularly targeting Uyghur groups. According to the assessment,
Beijing identifies three non-negotiable core interests: continued control of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), economic development, and defence and expansion of territorial and sovereignty claims.
The report further states that the CCP is highly sensitive to criticism that it has failed to protect Chinese interests, viewing both domestic and external challenges as threats to its legitimacy.
