In the China Index 2022 database, which rates the level of influence Beijing has over various global spheres, including foreign and domestic policy, technology, and the economy, Pakistan has received the highest overall score.
The China Index is the first cross-regional effort to objectively measure and depict the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) influence abroad using comparable data, and it was launched by the Doublethink Lab and China In The World network.
In nine domains—academics, domestic politics, economy, foreign policy, law enforcement, media, military, society, and technology—the 2018 edition ranks China’s influence in 82 country profiles.
- “As of November 2022, Pakistan, Cambodia, and Singapore are ranked as most exposed to PRC influence,” the Index said on its website.
- “Paraguay, North Macedonia, and Albania are ranked as least influenced.”
“Globally, PRC influence is assessed to be most prominent in the Domains of Technology, Foreign Policy, and Domestic Politics, and weakest in those of Military and Society.”
“Through the Index, we seek to establish an interactive world map that visualizes the PRC’s evolving influence in different countries,” the Index website said.
Pakistan ranked:
- First in technology and foreign policy
- Second in the military
- Eighth in the economy category
“We expect the China Index to serve as a reference tool that enhances global understanding and awareness of PRC influence, particularly for academics, media, civil society networks, and policymakers.”
China and Pakistan are longtime diplomatic and strategic allies. Beijing has been involved in major mining, energy, and infrastructure projects in Pakistan, including the deep-water Gwadar port, all part of the approximately $65 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.
