China's Post-bin Laden Relationship with Pakistan

A spokeswoman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry on May 3 addressed Pakistan's role in the death of Osama bin Laden and praised Pakistan's counterterrorism efforts. The comments are meant to counter criticisms of Pakistan's apparent lack of commitment and willingness to share intelligence, and exemplify the growing closeness between Beijing and Islamabad. China will depend more on Pakistan to counter militancy on China's western border and provide access to the Indian Ocean, while Pakistan will look to China to increase its financial and military support as U.S. assistance wanes. The countries will also increasingly depend on each other to counterbalance India.