A comprehensive research study has revealed that public goodwill toward China in Pakistan has experienced a dramatic surge over the past decade, primarily fueled by the transformative effects of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Decade-Long Research Reveals Shift in Public Perception
The Institute of International Relations and Media Research (IIRMR) released findings from their extensive study covering the period from 2015 to 2025. The research demonstrates that China's expanding role in Pakistan's development landscape, enhanced security cooperation, and growing cultural engagement have significantly strengthened how Pakistanis perceive their long-standing ally.
The survey collected perspectives from a diverse cross-section of Pakistani society, including government officials, security institutions, business leaders, academics, media professionals, civil society representatives, religious groups, think tanks, and ordinary citizens.
Authored by IIRMR President Yasir Habib Khan and Dr. Hassan Siddique, Communication Specialist at the World Bank's Punjab Green Development Program, the study documents how CPEC transformed Pakistan's traditional diplomatic goodwill toward China into a tangible, everyday developmental partnership.
From Symbolic Ties to Tangible Development
According to the report, even before CPEC's inception, Pakistanis maintained favorable views of China due to decades of strategic and defense cooperation. However, China's limited presence in Pakistan's economic and social spheres meant the relationship remained largely symbolic.
CPEC fundamentally altered this dynamic, with visible improvements in roads, energy supply, industrial activity, transport infrastructure, and economic connectivity reshaping public perception nationwide.
Performance emerged as the single strongest driver of positive sentiment. Respondents acknowledged CPEC for enabling smoother business operations, enhanced security along key routes, improved travel conditions, and stronger collaboration between Pakistani and Chinese workers.
Many participants observed that shared work environments, joint problem-solving, and increased cultural contact helped transform CPEC into a genuinely people-centered initiative.
Cultural Exchange and Crisis Solidarity
The study also records a remarkable expansion in cultural exchange since 2015. Chinese language learning has spread across the country, turning Mandarin from a niche interest into a valuable economic and educational asset.
Academic collaborations, joint research, civil service exchanges, religious delegations, judicial and bureaucratic interactions, and partnerships among think tanks have all contributed to a deeper and more nuanced understanding of China within Pakistan.
The May 2025 Pakistan-India conflict further amplified positive perceptions. A substantial majority of respondents stated that China's diplomatic support during the crisis reinforced its image as Pakistan's most reliable partner during difficult times, thereby strengthening public trust in the bilateral relationship.
Beyond geopolitics, the report highlights broader social improvements attributed to CPEC, including enhanced mobility, improved services, new employment opportunities, and increased daily interaction between Chinese and Pakistani citizens.
Media also played a shaping role: while English-language outlets largely projected pro-CPEC sentiment, social media platforms carried a mixture of praise and skepticism, continuously influencing public debate.
Sustaining Goodwill Through Transparency
Despite overwhelming positivity, respondents emphasized the need for ensuring transparency, equitable distribution of benefits across provinces, environmental protections, and clearer communication to maintain public goodwill.
The study concludes that Pakistanis now view China not merely as a strategic ally, but as an active development partner whose impact is visible across infrastructure, energy stability, transport modernization, regional connectivity, education, technology, and emerging economic opportunities.
As CPEC enters its next phase, public attitudes will depend on continued project delivery, economic outcomes, and deeper people-to-people connections.
Ultimately, the past decade has redefined China-Pakistan relations, transforming a bond grounded in diplomacy and defense into a broad-based societal partnership rooted in performance, institutional collaboration, and shared aspirations for long-term progress.
