For the first time, China has confirmed that it provided on-site technical support to Pakistan during the war against India last year.
Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated after 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed in a major terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam on April 22, 2025. In reply, India targeted nine terror-related sites in Pakistan as well as Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) under Operation Sindoor. This resulted in the deaths of more than 100 terrorists, who were said to be associated with major groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba.
In an interview aired on Thursday by state broadcaster CCTV in China, engineers associated with the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) talked about their direct involvement in supporting Pakistani operations, according to South China Morning Post (SCMP)
This marks the first time when China has acknowledged that its personnel playing a role in last year’s clash.
Zhang Heng, an engineer from AVIC’s Chengdu Aircraft Design and Research Institute, was among the ones who provided technical support to Pakistan, the report states.
Notably, this institute develops China’s advanced fighter aircraft as well as unmanned aerial vehicles.
“At the support base, we frequently heard the roar of fighter jets taking off and the constant wail of air-raid sirens. By late morning, in May, the temperature was already approaching 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit). It was a real ordeal for us, both mentally and physically,” the South China Morning Post quoted Zhang Heng as saying.
Pakistan’s air force operates Chinese-made J-10CE jets, which have been produced by an AVIC subsidiary.
Talking about the matter, Zhang Heng shared that what drove his team was the “desire to do an even better job with on‑site support” and to ensure their equipment could “truly perform at its full combat potential”.
“That wasn’t just a recognition of the J‑10CE; it was also a testament to the deep bond we formed through working side by side, day in and day out,” Zhang Heng added.
Xu Da, another employee from the same institute, shared more insights about China’s involvement.
“We nurtured it, cared for it, and finally handed it over to the user. And now, it was facing a major test. As for the outstanding results the J-10CE achieved, we weren’t very surprised, and it didn’t feel sudden at all,” Xu Da said,
“In fact, it felt inevitable. The aircraft just needed the right opportunity. And when that moment came, it delivered exactly as we knew it would,” the official added.