China deals with countries based on its assessment of their “Comprehensive National Power” which includes their military strength and economic strength. It uses this barometer as it relentlessly pursues its territorial claims on India. The first indicator of its intent was the invasion and annexation of independent & autonomous Tibet. China also succeeded in inflicting the most humiliating military defeat on India in 1962.
China contains India diplomatically by enhancing Pakistan’s nuclear weapons and missile capabilities. China & Pakistan have seen each other as reliable allies since the 1950s when tension between China and India grew over Tibet. With the increasing strategic complexity associated with growing Chinese & Indian military power, however, the relationship takes on multiple new dimensions.
The Pakistan-China-India triangle is embedded within a larger set of triangular relationship including Japan, Russia and the US. Japan is capable and prepared to take on China on the dispute over the Senkaku Islands. With the US guaranteeing its nuclear security, Japan is capable of defeating China in the event of a military confrontation over the Islands. While China constantly voices concern over India's relations with the US and Japan, India rarely, if ever, expresses concern on Chinese assistance to Pakistan's nuclear weapons programme.
China is one of the fastest growing economies. It is the world’s second largest exporter and third largest importer. It has the world’s largest standing army with