The Dragon at odds with long-term ally Pakistan? China calls terrorism 'unacceptable' in rare rebuke to Islamabad

China has expressed serious concerns over the safety of its citizens in Pakistan, calling it "unacceptable" that they have been targeted by terrorists twice in the past six months.

Chinese ambassador Jiang Zaidong raised these allegations in comments made during an event in Islamabad, after the deaths of seven Chinese individuals in suicide attacks since March.

This issue surfaced publicly when Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar remarked that Pakistan was the only country where China would continue to send its nationals despite security fears.

"The Chinese are very clear—if there are security issues, they will not send personnel anywhere else. Your country is the only exception," Dar explained, referencing discussions with Chinese officials.

Jiang countered these claims, stressing that "the security of Chinese citizens is paramount for President Xi (Jinping)." He warned that attacks on Chinese nationals could impact future investments under China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and urged Pakistan to take effective steps to ensure safety.

In an official response, Pakistan's foreign office spokesperson, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, found the ambassador's statements surprising and noted that such public criticisms are rare in their diplomatic relations.

The increasing violence against Chinese citizens has raised alarms, especially after a recent suicide attack near Karachi airport that killed two Chinese nationals and injured ten others.

Overall, since the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project began a decade ago, twenty-one Chinese workers have lost their lives in Pakistan, highlighting the urgent need for improved security measures.

(With inputs from ToI)