In the aftermath of the devastating Dasu bomb attack, which claimed the lives of five Chinese engineers, China remains steadfast in its commitment to its longstanding friendship with Pakistan. Despite the tragedy, Lin Jian, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson for China, assured that the incident would not sway the unwavering bond between the two nations. Reaffirming its support for Pakistan’s economic and social progress, Beijing announced its decision to resume work on the Tarbela Dam extension project shortly after the attack.
On March 26, 2024, one Pakistani and five Chinese nationals were killed in a terrorist attack on the vehicle of the Dasu Hydropower Project undertaken by a Chinese company in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province.
Following the Bomb Attack, Lin Jian, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson for China stated, “China strongly condemns the terrorist attack and asks Pakistan to thoroughly investigate the incident as soon as possible, hunt down the perpetrators, and bring them to justice. Meanwhile, we ask Pakistan to take effective measures to protect the safety and security of Chinese nationals, institutions, and projects in Pakistan. China is working with Pakistan on the follow-up work with an all-out effort. The Chinese Embassy in Pakistan has reminded Chinese citizens and businesses in Pakistan to closely follow the local security situation, take extra safety precautions, strengthen security measures, and do their best to guard against terrorist attacks”
Furthermore, he said the tragic incident would not affect the “iron-clad friendship” of the two countries and Beijing would continue its support for Pakistan’s economic and social development. “No attempt to sabotage China-Pakistan cooperation will ever succeed. China will continue supporting Pakistan’s socioeconomic development and efforts to make lives better for its people, and we remain firm in our commitment to working with Pakistan in various fields and delivering more benefit to the two peoples,”
Similarly, Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif while visiting the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan to convey condolences and sympathies to the bereaved families also strongly condemned the terrorist attack and said that terrorists’ attempt to harm Pakistan-China friendship will never succeed. Moreover, Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, the Foreign Minister, the Interior Minister and several other political figures vehemently denounced the incident and expressed condolences over the lives lost..
Despite the recent tragic events involving the loss of five Chinese engineers in the Besham suicide attack, China has decided for its workers to swiftly resume operations on the Tarbela Dam extension project days after the suicide attack. As per an office circular issued by the Power Construction Corporation of China Ltd, on March 28, “workers and office staff will be back to work after such short time suspension”. “China will continue to develop bilateral cooperation and promote the second phase of CPEC with high-quality development in collaboration with Pakistan,” said an earlier statement from the Chinese foreign ministry.
The Foreign Minister concluded his statement by reiterating that China and Pakistan are all-weather strategic cooperative partners and iron-clad brothers, and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) greatly contributes to the socioeconomic development of Pakistan. No attempt to undermine China-Pakistan cooperation will succeed. China opposes all forms of terrorism and firmly supports Pakistan in fighting terrorism. China will work with Pakistan with an even stronger commitment to do everything possible to protect the safety and security of Chinese personnel, projects, and institutions in Pakistan.
