China has reportedly acknowledged for the first time that it provided on-site technical assistance to Pakistan during last year’s military confrontation with India, referred to in India as Operation Sindoor. According to a report by the South China Morning Post, the admission emerged during an interview broadcast by Chinese state media, marking Beijing’s first public confirmation of direct technical involvement during the conflict.
The tensions between India and Pakistan escalated after the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, where 26 people were killed. India subsequently launched Operation Sindoor targeting multiple terror-related sites located in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Indian authorities claimed the strikes resulted in the deaths of more than 100 militants associated with organisations including Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba and Hizbul Mujahideen.
According to the report, engineers from the Aviation Industry Corporation of China spoke about their involvement during an interview aired by Chinese state broadcaster CCTV. One of the officials identified was Zhang Heng from the Chengdu Aircraft Design and Research Institute, which is associated with the development of several Chinese military aircraft platforms supplied to Pakistan. The report stated that Chinese personnel provided technical support to Pakistani operations during the period of heightened military tensions.
Also Read: Rajnath Singh Highlights Operation Sindoor as Model of Joint Military Response
The revelation is expected to intensify scrutiny over the deepening defence relationship between China and Pakistan, particularly in the field of military aviation and weapons systems. Defence analysts have long observed that a substantial portion of Pakistan’s military hardware originates from China, with estimates suggesting that around 81 per cent of Pakistan’s defence equipment is Chinese-made. The two countries have also collaborated extensively on fighter aircraft, missile systems and surveillance technologies over the past decade.
Indian officials have previously alleged that Chinese military technology played a significant role in strengthening Pakistan’s operational capabilities during regional confrontations. However, Beijing had largely avoided publicly acknowledging any direct involvement beyond standard defence cooperation agreements. The latest comments carried by Chinese state media are therefore being viewed as a significant shift in China’s public position regarding the conflict.
The reported admission comes amid already strained geopolitical relations across the region and could further influence strategic calculations among South Asian powers. Security experts believe the disclosure may prompt renewed debate over foreign military involvement in regional conflicts and raise concerns about the growing integration of Chinese defence infrastructure within Pakistan’s armed forces. Neither India nor Pakistan had issued an immediate official response to the latest report at the time of publication.
Also Read: CM Chandrababu Naidu Marks Operation Sindoor Anniversary, Praises Armed Forces Response