Pakistan China-Relationship and brotherhood is now 75 years since both the countries established diplomatic bonds. Those were difficult times for Pakistan as well as China. Pakistan newly created , carved from the north west India , named Pakistan. Factually it was resurgence of Muslim rule in India after the debacle of 1857. In China , CCP struggle triumphed and the first Communist party government formed under MAO in 1949 . CCP started from a very humble background, the four comrades. It was their unrelenting hard work, sacrifice that made them successful. Chairman Mao had realised the potential of the Chinese people lay in the peasantry . Chinese urban elite was of a different class under Chiang ki Shek . After the second world war, America emerged as Super power , leading western block. Eastern Block fell under Soviet Union , emerged as a great power from the ashes of 2nd world war. The colonial powers were shrinking and new countries emerging in erstwhile colonies. After the war British were too weak to hold on to the colonies . The vacuum created was filled by United States of America.
It was the time , Pakistan recognised communist China. Pakistan China friendship is based on shared vision, commonality of interest, strategic and economic necessity and above Geography. It was the greatest strategic diplomatic manoeuvre which paid of in the years to come. Pakistan settled northern area boundary with China . Thus, a new architecture was created India protested that it was part of a J and K territory, a false claim was rejected by Pakistan . Indian leadership perceived they are a stronger country than China , it was to be a setback in the coming years for India during 1962 defeat in first China India clash. Pakistan also facilitated China in 1971, USA -Communist China thaw by arranging Henry Kissinger’s meeting in Peking. Consequently, USA China relations flourished in the next four decades. It allowed China to develop and access to the huge American market. It also helped China to attract Investment from all over the world offering cheap cost of production. The combination of hard work , vision and CCP party policy allowed China to develop in a hybrid system , Government and private entrepreneurship is a great success. It is considered a great wonder of the world that 800 million people have been taken out of the poverty under the leadership of President Xi . The CCP leadership realised the strength of the rural population and need of connectivity with the urban centres to ensure that any upcoming Industries are widespread. Thus, China constructed the most modern railway system and now have over 50000 km , HSR(physical) tracks equipped with 5G) and ART(autonomous rail Transit), around 10000 under construction of super trains connecting all the major cities of China. The rail network is controlled and operated by Bei Du satellite system China also built new cities and Industrial zones and worlds largest hydro powered dams . In the field of solar energy China has excelled itself in the last three decades. China now can pride in the largest solar power landscape in the world. Similarly, China has largest solar cells production. The breakthrough was possible due development of solar manufacturing cell plants. Under BRICS and CPEC Pakistan can benefit from China if sincere effort is made.
In geo strategic milieu, China avoided itself in engaging in the hot wars . For Development, China needed peace. Thus, it became the fundamental principle of China , to create strategy of shared vision . China also showcased to the world how a combination of state and private sector can function smoothly. Thus, with President XI coming into power China extended is peaceful version to engage with the developing world with the shared economic development. For this the concept of BRI was created, nurtured and implemented through shared development in the developing world. China helped develop countries in their infrastructure development. Not by force but by cooperation in economic fields. It helped them to strengthen their physical infrastructure and also strengthen their Defence. China’s supply chain is vulnerable in South China Sea and passing through straits of Malacca needed an alternate. This created the idea of CPEC, Defence and economic cooperation with Pakistan . This policy became fundamental pillar of China Pakistan relationship. CPEC is the flagship project of the BRI. CPEC phase one is complete and phase 2 has commenced in spite of hurdles created by the Western powers, physical sabotage and also creating unrest within Pakistan. Nevertheless, both China and Pakistan continued to develop phase one at the face of all the opposition. Phase 2 now is in progress and already almost US 62 billion have been spent. The major projects like Port of Gwadar and international airport are functional and complete . The present crisis in Iran US war with the closure of the state of Hurmuz proved the foresight of the Chinese that of the Pakistani leadership. The CPEC route through the Gwadar port is now fully functional and proving to be the one of the best alternates for the Chinese chain of logistics both for import and and Export purposes, not only Oil but also the manufactured goods. It is estimated this route will almost meet 40% of the Chinese logistic requirements. The Chinese dependence on South China Sea and Strait of Malacca will be considerably reduced . As a transit hub Pakistan also benefit since now it is open to Iran as well. Recently Russia also approved North South corridor starting from Gwadar to Caspian Sea by passing volatile Afghanistan. It multiplies CPEC benefits.
Militarily , China is involved in fast development of its defence industrial base. The major areas are automobile, manufacturing industry hubs , power generation , communication , AI and space . In spite of the oil crisis in the follow-up of US Iran war China has managed to manage its requirement as compared to the other countries who are strongly squeezed due to close of the street of Hurmuz .
The Chinese venture into three important areas with fast speed. The development of military hardware, communication sector, space exploration. The combination of all these three domains is to create a formidable base for the development of the military potential . in 2025, Pakistan India short war proved the supremacy and quality of the Chinese equipment. It has been a major cornerstone since then and the world now is forced to accept the supremacy of the Chinese economy , militry potential, technology and its overall development. China Pakistan friendship also withstood the test of the time multiple pressures. The friendship is iron clad and it has withstood all the opposition from within and abroad. Both countries allowed themselves strategically tied together not only in defence but also shared vision how to move in the global arena. During the war with India in 2025, the Chinese equipment proved its supremacy specially in the hands of trained Pakistani operators. The combination of skill and hardware at its best. Today Pakistan strategically and politically a leading player not only in South Asia , West Asia but also globally. This stature has to be maintained with balanced economic growth and social cohesion.
However , China Pakistan lack people to people contact. For Chinese is to trust Pakistanis and open for tourists , students and business online or on arrival. I’m sure this will go a great way forging a bond between the two countries.
US President Trump’s and Chinese President are a milestone and it is expected that the meeting will usher in ironing out some differences between USA and China as we find from the statements of two leaders in coming Sep ,26 meeting in USA . Its impact on South Asia, West and Middle East is going to be phenomenal and already visible with Indian overtures toward UAE and Europe. Pakistan can pride itself to be a leading player behind the scene in this meeting.
The author is a decorated Brigadier, retired from Pakistan army with 31 years of combat service and almost 30 years corporate experience after retirement as managing director various Pakistani multinational companies. A A writer and TV Analyst, Chairman Secretary a member of many social and economic forums . Member of Exec Committee of Karachi Editors Club.
