China ‘rejuvenation’ plan, Pentagon flags Arunachal Pradesh claim, Pakistan ties

A recent United States Department of Defense report submitted to the US Congress has flagged China’s territorial claim over Arunachal Pradesh as part of Beijing’s expanded definition of its “core interests”. The Indian state is placed alongside Taiwan and major maritime disputes in the South China Sea and East China Sea within China’s long-term national strategy.

According to the report, China’s leadership now frames sovereignty claims over Arunachal Pradesh, Taiwan, and contested maritime territories as essential to achieving the “great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation”. This goal, set for the mid-21st century, is portrayed by Beijing as a historic mission tied directly to national revival and global stature.

Chinese officials, the report notes, have described the unification of China with disputed territories, particularly Taiwan, as a “natural requirement” for national rejuvenation, signalling little room for compromise on what Beijing considers non-negotiable claims.

Military ambition, national rejuvenation

Under the rejuvenation framework, the Pentagon assessment says, China aims to operate at a higher global level with a “world-class” military capable of conducting and winning high-intensity operations. This includes the ability to “resolutely safeguard” sovereignty, security, and development interests across multiple theatres.

The report links this ambition to the Chinese Communist Party’s domestic legitimacy. Beijing is described as being acutely sensitive to criticism that it is failing to defend national interests, treating both internal dissent and external pressure as threats to party control.

The Pentagon identifies three core interests guiding Chinese policy: the continued rule of the CCP, sustained economic development, and the defence and expansion of territorial and sovereignty claims.

India-China ties, limited thaw at LAC

On India-China relations, the report refers to an agreement announced by the Indian leadership in October 2024 to disengage from remaining friction points along the Line of Actual Control. This announcement came shortly before a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the BRICS summit.

That meeting marked the beginning of monthly high-level engagements between the two sides, covering border management mechanisms, direct flights, visa facilitation, and exchanges involving academics and journalists.

However, the Pentagon assessment cautions that China may be seeking to use reduced border tensions to stabilise ties with India and prevent closer US-India strategic alignment. It adds that mutual distrust is likely to persist, constraining any meaningful reset in the relationship.

Pakistan partnership, expanding military footprint

The report devotes significant attention to China’s deepening military and strategic cooperation with Pakistan. Beijing continues to co-produce the JF-17 fighter aircraft with Islamabad and remains the only export customer for China’s J-10 multirole combat aircraft.

China has also supplied armed drones to Pakistan and is a prominent naval supplier, highlighted by Pakistan’s purchase of eight Yuan-class submarines in a deal valued at around $3 billion. Beyond weapons sales, the Pentagon notes that Beijing may be considering Pakistan as a future location for PLA logistics facilities as part of its overseas basing strategy.

The assessment also references a China-Pakistan intelligence agreement signed in 2020, which expanded cooperation on counterterrorism operations in Pakistan and Afghanistan, particularly against Uyghur militant groups.

Together, the report suggests, China’s territorial claims, military modernisation, and close partnership with Pakistan form an integrated strategy aimed at reshaping regional balances while advancing Beijing’s long-term vision of national rejuvenation.