30 May ‘The missile you mention…’: Beijing deflects question on Chinese arms’ ‘below average’ performance in India-Pakistan conflict
Speaking at a monthly press briefing on Thursday, Chinese Defence Ministry spokesperson Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang declined to comment on India’s recovery of a PL-15E missile — one of China’s most advanced air-to-air weapons — or on Indian claims that Chinese defence systems used by Pakistan performed “below average” during the four-day military confrontation earlier this month.
“The missile you mentioned is an export equipment and has been shown at defence exhibitions at home and abroad many times,” Zhang said, referring to the unexploded PL-15E reportedly found by Indian forces.
Pressed further, Zhang added: “India and Pakistan are neighbours that cannot be moved. We hope that both sides can remain calm and restrained and avoid action further complicating the situation.”
He offered no direct response to Indian officials’ allegations that Pakistan had received Chinese air defence and satellite support during the conflict, which they claim did not yield effective results.
Indian military officials had asserted that Pakistan used Chinese air defence systems and relied on Chinese satellite support, but the results were “below average”. The Chinese response to these claims was muted, with Zhang avoiding confirmation or denial.“We would like to stress that India and Pakistan are neighbours that cannot be moved. We hope both sides will remain calm and restrained to avoid further complicating the situation,” Zhang repeated, echoing similar language used previously by the Chinese Foreign Ministry.He added, “The Chinese side is willing to continue the constructive role in achieving a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire and preserve regional peace and stability.”
India and Pakistan announced a cessation of hostilities on 10 May, following Operation Sindoor, launched by India in response to the 22 April terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir. That attack left 26 civilians dead and injured several more.
From 7 to 10 May, Indian forces targeted terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The operations led to the deaths of over 100 militants from groups including Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen. Pakistan responded with three days of retaliatory air strikes, which were intercepted by Indian defences.
“It was agreed between them that both sides would stop all firing and military action on land, in the air and sea with effect from 5 pm local time on May 10. Instructions have been given on both sides to give effect to this understanding,” Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said at a press briefing in New Delhi, according to Xinhua.
The recent flare-up has intensified focus on the role and reliability of Chinese weaponry in Pakistan’s arsenal. China supplies 81 per cent of Pakistan’s military imports, according to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) covering 2020 to 2024. These include fighter jets, radars, warships, submarines, and advanced missile systems.
The PL-15E, which was reportedly recovered unexploded in Indian territory, is a radar-guided beyond-visual-range missile and represents a key element of China’s missile exports. Its presence and apparent failure during the conflict raise questions over its battlefield performance.
Pakistan’s military largely relies on China-supplied platforms, including the JF-17 fighter aircraft, jointly developed by the two nations. This aircraft remains central to Pakistan’s air power and was used during the conflict.
The Chinese Defence Ministry’s silence on equipment performance has drawn significant attention within Chinese media, reflecting both the depth of China-Pakistan defence ties and the potential reputational risks of battlefield shortcomings.
This was the first media interaction by the Chinese military since the conflict, and though routine, it came under sharper focus due to the scale of Chinese involvement in Pakistan’s defence infrastructure.
Despite Beijing’s public appeals for calm, analysts note the strategic weight of its silence. The lack of clarity on weapons effectiveness — especially during live conflict — may affect future defence diplomacy and procurement choices across the region.
For now, China insists on a neutral stance. But its military exports, their performance, and its political proximity to Pakistan continue to be closely watched, particularly in New Delhi.
(With inputs from ANI, PTI)