The Problem of China-Pakistan Air Transportation Linkages in the 1960s: From Roots to Resolution

　　ABSTRACT: In October of 1962, Pakistan attempted to raise the problem of air transportation linkages between it and China, and by April 29, 1964, Pakistan International Airlines had officially opened a route to Shanghai. In just over one year, the two countries managed to realize air linkages. Key to China and Pakistan’s ability to quickly resolve this issue was the prevailing diplomatic position of the two states at the time. Transportation linkages were in the interest of both states and were an objective need. Through a series of negotiations, China and Pakistan were able to successfully establish air linkages. Immediately after announcing news of the agreement, the new linkages became a hot issue for international public opinion. Pakistan received tremendous pressure from nearly every direction, with the United States applying the greatest pressure. Pakistan did not budge under this pressure though, as it had already firmly resolved to open transportation linkages with China, while China provided Pakistan with significant support. The realization of air links between China and Pakistan represented a major breakthrough for “airline diplomacy” in the history of international aviation history. It advanced the development of China’s air transportation, opened China’s gate to the West, created a path whereby China might access the outside world, and also deepened relations between Pakistan and China, placing a greater distance between Pakistan and the United States.