China's military might takes center stage after India-Pakistan clash

The New York Times reveals in a recent article that in the wake of the recent India-Pakistan conflict, Chinese-made fighter jets and air-to-air missiles are garnering significant attention, with reports of their successful performance fueling a surge of nationalist pride in China. The battle, which saw Chinese technology in action, has not only sparked celebrations of military prowess but also reignited tensions with Taiwan, as experts warn of the growing capabilities of China’s military forces.

When Pakistan claimed earlier this month to have downed several Indian fighter jets, the ramifications of this assertion extended far beyond the region, reaching the South China Sea and Taiwan.

During the four-day conflict, Pakistani forces operated Chinese-made J-10C fighter jets, with officials asserting that Chinese missiles were responsible for bringing down Indian aircraft. The J-10, often referred to as the "fighter of national pride" in China, had previously been used in Chinese military drills designed to intimidate Taiwan, which Beijing claims as part of its territory. However, the J-10 had never been tested in actual combat, leaving the effectiveness of the aircraft in real warfare uncertain—until now, according to Chinese commentators.

“The Taiwanese military has no chance against the J-10C,” boasted a Chinese nationalist tabloid. Despite these claims, China’s government has not confirmed Pakistan’s assertions, and India has not publicly acknowledged losing any aircraft. However, Chinese state media took to social media on Saturday, declaring that the J-10C jets had “achieved combat results for the first time,” along with a hashtag referencing the India-Pakistan conflict.

Retired Chinese military officer Zhou Bo stated that the jets’ success would enhance China's confidence in territorial disputes, particularly concerning Taiwan and the South China Sea. "This is for the world, including Taiwanese authorities, to see how China’s defence industry has developed by leaps and bounds,” Zhou commented.

The conflict also raised questions about the capabilities of other Chinese equipment. Pakistan reportedly used Chinese-made air-defence systems and PL-15 long-range air-to-air missiles, claiming they struck their targets, although India disputed this. The Indian Air Force announced it had bypassed and jammed Pakistan’s Chinese-supplied air-defence systems in just 23 minutes, showcasing its technological edge.

Despite online nationalistic fervor, the Chinese government has been more cautious, focusing on general military advancements rather than confirming specific claims. The delay in acknowledging the use of Chinese jets might be partly due to Beijing’s desire to avoid worsening relations with India, with which it has recently resumed diplomatic engagements, including direct flights and trade talks.

Some Taiwanese experts have voiced concerns over China’s growing military strength. Retired Major General Li Cheng-chieh, of Taiwan’s military, expressed fears that Taiwanese aircraft would struggle to survive against Chinese jets. “Whether our fighter jets would even have the opportunity to take off is a question mark,” Li said in an interview.

China’s foreign ministry spokeswoman, Mao Ning, declined to comment on Indian claims that China provided Pakistan with active air defence and satellite support. "Both India and Pakistan are important neighbours of China," Mao remarked.

While Taiwan’s defense analysts are cautious not to overreact, they agree that the developments should be closely monitored. Ou Si-fu, a research fellow at Taiwan’s Institute for National Defense and Security Research, said, “It’s like an alarm clock, reminding everyone not to be careless. Taiwan has no capital to be careless.”

By Naila Huseynova