China Is Enabling Pakistan’s Proxy Terror Against India

For more than a decade, the Communist Party of China has positioned itself as a vocal opponent of terrorism in global fora, invoking the language of stability, responsibility, and multilateral cooperation. Yet, this carefully constructed image collapses under scrutiny when measured against Beijing’s long-standing, strategically calculated support for Pakistan’s use of proxy terror groups against India. The recent escalation of violence, culminating in the April 2025 Pahalgam attack, demonstrates how China’s diplomatic protection has emboldened terrorist organizations operating from Pakistani soil.

The April 22 Pahalgam attack represents one of the deadliest terrorist incidents in India since the 2008 Mumbai attacks. Five armed militants targeted tourists in the picturesque Baisaran Valley of Kashmir, killing 26 civilians including 25 tourists and a local Muslim pony ride operator. The attackers, armed with M4 carbines and AK-47s, specifically targeted Hindu tourists, forcing them to identify their religion before executing them at point-blank range. Several newlywed couples were among the victims, with husbands shot in front of their wives.

About the Author

Jianli Yang

Jianli Yang is a Distinguished Visiting Fellow at Center for the National Interest and a columnist for National Review.

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For more than a decade, the Communist Party of China has positioned itself as a vocal opponent of terrorism in global fora, invoking the language of stability, responsibility, and multilateral cooperation. Yet, this carefully constructed image collapses under scrutiny when measured against Beijing’s long-standing, strategically calculated support for Pakistan’s use of proxy terror groups against India. The recent escalation of violence, culminating in the April 2025 Pahalgam attack, demonstrates how China’s diplomatic protection has emboldened terrorist organizations operating from Pakistani soil.

The April 22 Pahalgam attack represents one of the deadliest terrorist incidents in India since the 2008 Mumbai attacks. Five armed militants targeted tourists in the picturesque Baisaran Valley of Kashmir, killing 26 civilians including 25 tourists and a local Muslim pony ride operator. The attackers, armed with M4 carbines and AK-47s, specifically targeted Hindu tourists, forcing them to identify their religion before executing them at point-blank range. Several newlywed couples were among the victims, with husbands shot in front of their wives.