Triangular Relationship ------------------------ ¶3. (C) According to the scholars, however, China's desire to improve political and economic ties with India, Pakistan's rival, is complicating the Sino-Pakistan relationship (Ref A). Zhang Jiegen, Professor at Fudan University, said Pakistani scholars he met during his recent trip to Pakistan expressed concerns about a burgeoning "friendship" between China and India.
His Pakistani interlocutors instead urged China to "contain India" through closer partnership with Pakistan, according to Zhang. Zhang Jiadong, Professor at Fudan University, thinks
China is in a dilemma: it wants to improve relations with India while maintaining good relations with Pakistan, but Pakistan has been "asking for more" (i.e., asking China to choose sides). In describing China's "cultural mindset," Zhang Jiadong explained that China does not want to change its relations with any country too abruptly, so China will continue to maintain good relations with Pakistan while gradually developing stronger ties with India in a balanced approach.