India-Pakistan Conflict Gives Chinese Weapons Chance to Shine

The conflict between India and Pakistan, which exploded into violence on Tuesday, is providing China with a theater to showcase the improving efficacy of its weaponry.

China’s day in the sun: As a close partner to China, Pakistan is using a wide variety of Chinese-made arms and weapons systems in the conflict. These include SH-15 155mm self-propelled howitzers, HQ-16A air defense systems, PL-15 long-range missiles and both JF-17 and J-10 fighter jets.

Pakistan claims it has used this weaponry to down five Indian warplanes and a drone.

India says these claims are misinformation, and that may be the case, in part or whole. But cnn reported that a high-ranking French intelligence official confirmed a French Rafale fighter jet operated by the Indian Air Force was shot down.

Whether or not Pakistan’s claims are accurate, Chinese defense stocks are rising dramatically. On Wednesday, shares of China’s Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group, which manufactures the JF-17 and J-10 jets, soared by more than 16 percent.

“Made in China”: The days of the “Made in China” label being a sign of poor quality may be past. China is rapidly becoming a formidable superpower, and the nation is demonstrating that it has the firepower to support its rise.

To understand where China’s rise is leading, read our Trends article “Why the Trumpet Watches the Rise of China as a Superpower.”