Norinco the company has to make back its costs, pay for workers, overhead, down stream suppliers, R&D, etc. Maybe they need to work on cutting costs but they need to offer a price to test the market. Thailand ordered 28 VT-4 for $150 million and another 10 for $58 million. They have limited production capacity for this model so they will likely take the highest bidder to quickly cover costs and build up capacity. In the situation that they cannot find a customer after they have space in their booking, then they might lower prices or make it attractive through other means. If Norinco doesn't make a profit or at least their costs, their suppliers and workers won't give them components and work, if unprofitably is sustained the company goes under. No money means no activity. They don't go into a deal or demonstration thinking about political considerations between Pakistan and China (maybe it is better if they do as a sales strategy?), it is a publicly listed company. Currently Norinco is using export markets to improve its product line, much work is needed to be done.
On the other hand if Pakistan thinks a particular defense product from China is desirable but pricing is out of range then maybe an arrangement can be made with the government of China to subsidize costs. There is a process to go about this.
As for bases, just putting it in context, the Americans are subsidized by their allies for overseas basing. Japan pays
$2 billion, South Korea pays
$800 million, and NATO pays
$2.5 billion every year to the US for covering basing costs.
"The United States’ European allies, Burns said, "pay us $2.5 billion a year to keep our forces there."
https://www.politifact.com/punditfa...opean-allies-pay-us-25-billion-yearly-keep-t/
"Japan has agreed to pay as much as $12 billion to build a new U.S. base on Okinawa for thousands of Marines now at the U.S. installation in the town of Futenma. "
"South Korea also is funding most of a $10.8-billion construction project that will allow U.S. troops to move from bases near Seoul and the Demilitarized Zone along the border with North Korea to new installations farther south."
http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-trump-allies-20160930-snap-story.html
Kuwait, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia also pay the majority of American basing costs. The Gulf war was largely paid by the Arab Gulf nations.
"The report, released at a central bankers' meeting in the United Arab Emirates, said that in addition, the governments of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the gulf emirates made $84 billion in direct payments to the United States, Britain and France for military expenses. Officials said payments to Egypt and Syria, who were also members of the coalition opposing Iraq, may have totaled $3 billion to $5 billion.
Direct logistical support for the 600,000 American and allied troops in Saudi Arabia between August 1990 and March 1991, plus the rush to build military airstrips and camps, cost another $51 billion, which was paid largely by Saudi Arabia and Kuwait."
https://www.nytimes.com/1992/09/08/world/gulf-war-s-cost-to-arabs-estimated-at-620-billion.html
US and Russia also have these type of restrictions to prevent leaking of sensitive information. Some exports products have purposely limited capabilities. American export M1 Abrams tanks lack depleted uranium armor. It would be nice if China could one day export Type 99A series to Pakistan. Likely by then China would be equipping 4th generation tanks.
