China's Technical Support to Pakistan During Recent India-Pakistan Conflict

In the recent conflict between India and Pakistan, China reportedly provided technical assistance to Pakistan, confirmed by a Chinese engineer. This support came during India's Operation Sindoor, aimed at targeting terrorist groups. Despite the allegations, Chinese officials have downplayed their involvement. The situation raises questions about military strategies and the implications of international support in regional conflicts. Read on to discover more about the dynamics of this conflict and China's role in it.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 9, 2026, 02:33 IST

China's Role in the India-Pakistan Conflict

During the recent four-day conflict between India and Pakistan, China extended technical assistance to Pakistan as Indian forces launched ‘Operation Sindoor’ targeting terrorist groups in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror incident. Although there have been longstanding reports of China's support for Islamabad, this was confirmed for the first time by Zhang Heng, an engineer from the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), during an interview with a Chinese state broadcaster. According to a report from a Hong Kong-based media outlet, Zhang indicated that he provided technical support to Pakistan amid the India-Pakistan hostilities.

Pakistan's air force utilizes a fleet of Chinese-manufactured J-10CE jets, produced by a subsidiary of AVIC. Zhang described the challenging conditions at the support base, noting the constant sound of fighter jets and air-raid sirens, with temperatures soaring to nearly 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit). He expressed that the motivation for his team was to ensure their equipment operated at its maximum combat capability, emphasizing the strong partnership developed through their collaborative efforts.

Chinese Government's Response to Allegations of Support

In response to claims regarding China's assistance to Pakistan during the conflict, officials from the Chinese foreign ministry and military have either dismissed or minimized these allegations. However, there has been no formal response to the assertion made by India's Deputy Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Rahul R Singh, who claimed that Beijing provided active military support to Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, treating the conflict as a practical test of military strategies. Lt Gen Singh suggested that China utilized its satellites to monitor Indian troop movements while the Pakistani military received real-time updates during communications at the Director General of Military Operations level.

He compared China's tactics during Operation Sindoor to its historical military strategies, suggesting that Beijing aimed to inflict damage on India by supporting Pakistan. Chinese officials and media have highlighted Pakistan's claims of downing Indian aircraft to promote the superiority of Chinese technology, despite the lack of evidence backing Islamabad's assertions.

Silence on Collateral Damage in Pakistan

Chinese officials and media have not addressed the significant collateral damage suffered by Pakistan, which included the destruction of several terrorist bases, critical airfields, and the failure of Chinese radar systems that compromised India's air dominance. Recent reports indicate that China is considering selling its stealth bomber, the J-35, to Pakistan.