OPERATED BY CEJ

False

FACT-CHECKED

by CEJ |

China has not issued any warning to Pakistan against providing bases to the US

Posts from multiple users across social media platforms since June 24, 2025, claimed that China warned Pakistan against providing military bases to the United States. However, there is no evidence of any such warning being issued.

Claim

China warns Pakistan against providing bases to the United States

Rating Justification

The iVerify Pakistan team investigated this content and determined that it is false.

To reach this conclusion, iVerify Pakistan checked for recent statements from Chinese officials regarding Pakistan on credible news outlets.

Posts from multiple users across social media platforms since June 24, 2025, claimed that China warned Pakistan against providing military bases to the United States. However, there is no evidence of any such warning being issued.

The United States launched strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities at Fordow, Isfahan and Natanz on June 22. A US official had later said that seven B-2 Spirit stealth bombers flew east from their base in Missouri to participate in the mission in Iran.

HOW IT STARTED

On June 24, an X user shared a news graphic from digital media outlet Tribune Trends with a statement attributed to China allegedly warning Pakistan against providing military bases to the United States.

“‘If Pakistan provides bases to the United States, we will sever all kinds of relations with Pakistan,’ says China,” the text on the graphic said.

The post gained over 338,000 views.

Tribune Trends had originally posted the graphic on June 22, citing growing US-Pakistan strategic engagement as a cause for concern.

The posts did not mention which Chinese official or department had issued the warning, nor was any link or source provided, though they featured a picture of Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Further investigation showed that the claim first began circulating on June 19, particularly among pro-PTI circles, coinciding with Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir’s visit to the United States.

The same claim was shared widely across multiple posts, including here, here, here, here, here and here.

METHODOLOGY

A fact-check was initiated to determine the veracity of the claim due to its virality and keen public interest in the diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China, as well as the rumours of bases being provided to the US.

A keyword search for “China warns Pakistan” to corroborate the alleged warning yielded no news stories on any domestic or international media outlets or any press releases or statements on Chinese media outlets such as Xinhua News Agency, Global Times, and CGTN or from Chinese departments such as the presidency or foreign office.

Looking at the official website for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs showed that spokesperson Guo Jiakun held five press conferences over the last week, coinciding with the army chief’s visit to the US and the US airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear sites — during which there was intense speculation by social media users about Pakistan offering or allowing use of its territory for US airbases.

However, none of the press conferences included any statement warning Pakistan against providing military bases to the US.

A June 24 report by state-run PTV News outlet detailed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s latest meeting with Ambassador of China to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong.

According to the report, the Chinese official lauded the proactive and positive role being played by Pakistan at every diplomatic forum, including the United Nations Security Council, where it has consistently called for peace during the recent developments in the Iran-Israel conflict.

Ambassador Jiang Zaidong also revealed that preparations were underway to support the prime minister’s upcoming visit to China at the end of August 2025.

FACT-CHECK STATUS: FALSE

The claim that China has warned Pakistan against providing military bases to the United States is false.

There is no evidence backed up by credible news reporting for any such development having ever occurred.

Evidence and References

Ministry of Foreign Affairs China:
https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng/xw/fyrbt/