China is a defense and strategic partner of Pakistan and as a great power, a rising power and a regional hegemon it has a very friendly and binding state to state relationship with Pakistan. Geopolitically both countries coordinate, cooperate and contain all threats that encroach in their domain. Both countries are likely to build on this partnership and maintain a high level of diplomatic and defense related relationship. Let us go through past history how Pakistan and China emerged as great friends. Pakistan was one of the first country to recognize China, however they established diplomatic relations on 21 May 1951. The relations kept growing with each passing day. Irrespective who was the ruler in Pakistan it had no effect on the relationship between Pakistan and China. Pakistan considers China as one of its closest time tested friends and China considers Pakistan as its Brother. The bilateral relationship continued growing with fastest speed between the two neighboring countries on equal footing mutual trust, respect, and goodwill towards each other. Besides, strategic cooperation between Pakistan and China has grown over the past several decades. Economically, China is Pakistan’s largest trading partner and a major investor, especially in developing military equipment that included APC, Tanks, Jet aircrafts and strengthening energy sector. With the official launch of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), is a flagship project of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s initiative of “One Road and One Belt”. It aims at enhancing connectivity and improving infrastructure between Pakistan and China. Several projects are being implemented under CPEC, for the enhancement of infrastructure and generation of energy. People-to-people contacts are an important aspect of the bilateral relationship. Ever since Pakistan and China cemented their relations this was not liked by the west specially USA was not happy with our growing relations and military adventures like training of personnel in each other’s institutions and joint defense production.
No doubt China’s imports from Pakistan show a downward trend due to price variation whereas China’s exports to Pakistan are is much higher. China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) started in 2013 is the cornerstone of Pakistan and China’s all-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership. Under the concept of BRI, it was to develop connectivity in the region. The people of both countries are now witnessing the fruits of high-quality of projects. In the first phase China invested around 25.4 billion dollars in Pakistan, primarily in energy and transport infrastructure sectors. CPEC projects have added: 8000 MWs of energy to the national grid, 510 KMs of highways, 932 KMs of road networks, 820 KMs of Optical Fiber line; creating over 192000 jobs in Pakistan. Unfortunately there has been slow down in projects due to some terror related incidents and some of our Chinese brothers were martyred but China never pulled back and just demanded improved and better security arrangements that has now been guaranteed. China enjoys unique distinction in the world that she does not believe in war has never attacked any country like USA who attacked many countries causing huge death and destruction spending trillions of dollars without achieving her objectives. China became close to super power without going to war and never fired a shot, contrary to this claim US attacked many sovereign countries Libya, Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan killing millions of innocent people of all ages, destroying their houses and super structure without realizing its consequences.
Diplomatically China has also reached out to all the continents and has almost taken over the role of leading the global south and in this endeavor it is being helped out by Russia. This China-Russia partnership has come about at good time because the world is experiencing a change and US as a power is losing its position a s a global hegemon. Both China and Russia represent a part of the world that has stood up against wester colonialism and imperialism. Militarily China has modernized its army and has attained the ability to not only defend itself but also defend and oversee its sphere of influence in Western Pacific, East China Sea and South China Sea. China has degraded Pakistan’s status as a friend. China’s policies never seek short term benefits neither are they designed for sporadic change. Yes China and Pakistan do have challenges when it comes down to implementing the CPEC but there is no challenge that both the countries cannot overcome. Unlike China where Chinese Communist Party (CCP) rules in Pakistan democratic governments come and go and as the whole world understands that Pakistan currently is undergoing difficult circumstances so it is not easy to reflect only on one issue. Pakistan today is confronted with multiple issues. They are political, economic, social and as well as security issues. The deep friendship that both countries had over such a long period of time and which is time tested warrants that China stands up with Pakistan in these difficult times. It will be only a matter of time when political stability will return to Pakistan. China’s western province of Xinxiang and the entire western region is underdeveloped and through CPEC China can land the much needed resources, energy and connectivity to the region. Pakistan’s Baluchistan province is also underdeveloped and with China Pakistan can help the people of the province to embrace development and progress which is something that they have been denied for a very long time. Strategically, Pakistan can act as the gateway to the entire Eurasian region and China needs the access to Pakistani ports of Gwadar and Karachi to boost the idea of free regional marketing and trade. In the multipolar world in which regional problems will be solved in the region China will have to play a leading role in resolution of Kashmir conflict. In case of any future conflict it will be difficult of India to fight war on two fronts and because both China and Pakistan share a common enemy i feel that their alliance in the region is of great strategic value to both. China and Pakistan do have challenges when it comes down to implementing the CPEC but there is no challenge that both the countries cannot overcome. Pakistan today is confronted with multiple issues. They are political, economic, social and as well as security issues. The deep friendship that both countries had over such a long period of time and which is time tested warrants that China stands up with Pakistan in these difficult times. It will be only a matter of time when political stability will return to Pakistan. The China-Pakistan economic and military partnership is a must and in the deep interest of both the countries. Leaders in Pakistan will come and go and so will various governments but Pakistan cannot afford to lose a great friend like China. China’s western province of Xinxiang and the entire western region is underdeveloped and through CPEC China can land the much needed resources, energy and connectivity to the region. Pakistan’s Baluchistan province is also underdeveloped and with China Pakistan can help the people of the province to embrace development and progress which is something that they have been denied for a very long time. Strategically, Pakistan can act as the gateway to the entire Eurasian region and China needs the access to Pakistani ports of Gwadar and Karachi to boost the idea of free regional marketing and trade. So, all the ongoing CPEC projects should continue with greater energy and drive and both China and Pakistan must try to complete them by 2030 which is the culminative year for the completion of these projects. Pakistan’s government can also consider the possibility of both Pakistani and Chinese troops carrying out joint patrolling along the border areas from where the CPEC routes pass. This can add to Chinese reassurance and would not have any reflection on the lack of capability on Pakistan’s security forces. After all, Pakistan has accommodated US and many of its security demands including providing military bases in Pakistan in the past. If we can do that for US why can’t we do that for our neighbor and time tested friend China. Long live China Pakistan friendship.
