China-Pakistan Ties Could Falter Over Xinjiang
“Chinese allegations that attacks in the country’s restive Xinjiang region were planned by Muslim extremists trained in Pakistan add a new wrinkle to the literally explosive issue of Pakistan’s connection to terrorism,” says Asia Society Executive Vice President Jamie Metzl. “With the U.S. looking to exert far greater pressure on Pakistan to stop supporting the most noxious elements of the Afghan Taliban, Pakistan has threatened that a cut in U.S. aid would push it toward closer relations with China. If it becomes clear that Pakistan’s support for select terrorists is threatening not only the United States, India, and Afghanistan, but China as well, the ground could be set for coordinated efforts by all of these countries to pressure Pakistan to change its ways with far greater force and effectiveness than ever before.”
Jamie is in New York. To arrange an interview, contact the Asia Society communications department at 212-327-9271 or [email protected]