China distances itself from Pakistan’s claim of using Chinese-made J-10C jets to counter Indian strikes under Operation Sindoor, saying “not familiar with the matter”.
New Delhi / Beijing | May 8, 2025:
A diplomatic embarrassment unfolded for Pakistan on Thursday as China distanced itself from Islamabad’s claim that Chinese fighter jets were used in a retaliatory move against India during the ongoing conflict triggered by Operation Sindoor.
Also Read: Pakistan Used Heavy Artillery Against India as Tensions Escalate After Operation Sindoor
During a routine press conference in Beijing, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian responded to a media query about Pakistan’s alleged deployment of J-10C Chinese jets against Indian targets. His brief but pointed response was:
“I am not familiar with the matter you mentioned.”
This comes just a day after Pakistan Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar told Parliament that the country had deployed Chinese-origin J-10C fighters to intercept Indian jets and reportedly shot down five Indian aircraft, including Rafales — a claim New Delhi has neither confirmed nor acknowledged.
China Calls for De-escalation
In contrast to Pakistan’s combative rhetoric, Beijing maintained a neutral and diplomatic tone, reiterating its long-standing call for India and Pakistan to exercise restraint. Lin Jian’s dismissal of knowledge regarding the alleged Chinese jet usage is being widely interpreted as China’s refusal to be dragged into the military confrontation between the two neighbours.
A Blow to Pakistan’s Narrative?
The denial by Beijing is a setback to Pakistan’s attempts to bolster its narrative of a powerful military response to India’s precision airstrikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). India launched Operation Sindoor in response to the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, in which 26 civilians were killed.
The strikes, which targeted Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed bases, were described by Indian officials as “measured, proportionate, and non-escalatory”.
China-Pakistan Military Ties
China remains Pakistan’s largest defence supplier, accounting for nearly 82% of its total arms imports between 2019 and 2023, as per SIPRI data. However, China’s latest statement suggests reluctance to be visibly involved in Pakistan’s military exchanges with India — particularly amid President Xi Jinping’s visit to Russia this week for the Victory Day celebrations.
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India-Pakistan tensions, Operation Sindoor, China Pakistan J-10C, Vikram Misri, Chinese foreign ministry, Pakistan air defence, India airstrikes Pakistan, Pahalgam attack, Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Chinese jet denial, Xi Jinping Russia visit