China to give 50 fighter jets to Pakistan

China will give 50 more JF-17 fighter jets to Pakistan on an “expedited” basis, a significant result of talks during Pakistan’s Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani’s visit to Beijing this week, the Wall Street Journal reported. The agreement, announced by a spokesman for the Pakistani Air Force, shows that China could be an alternative source of military and civilian assistance if the US reduces aid to Pakistan following the raid that killed al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. The JF-17s from China are a potent symbol, especially as the US has repeatedly delayed delivery of F-16s to Pakistan and insisted they cannot be used against India. Gilani’s visit was arranged long before bin Laden’s death and was intended to mark the 60th anniversary of bilateral relations on Saturday. China is Pakistan’s largest arms supplier and its third-biggest trading partner.