“This visit is an additional boost to implementing the economic perspective of Pakistan’s National Security Policy (NSP) launched by the start of 2022,” writes Amna Saqib.
Pakistan and China have had a splendid journey so far. For decades, their bilateral relationship has anchored on the principles of mutual respect, win-win cooperation, and understanding of each other’s apprehension and interests. Today, their relations have extended to diplomacy, defense, economy and close cooperation in the international forums. Despite having very diverse social, political and economic systems, both countries have been able to create a multifaceted relationship and set an excellent example of peaceful cohabitation. Therefore, the governments of both states habitually describe their ties in glowing terms as an “all-weather friendship” that is “higher than the mountains and deeper than the oceans.” This is not mere rhetoric, but a time-tested friendship with many distinctive characteristics that make it exceptional.
First, since the inception of their diplomatic relations, Pakistan’s perception of China is based on genuine feelings of trust and confidence. So, it provides a mutually beneficial situation for both China and Pakistan. Second, despite the shift in China’s policy on Jammu & Kashmir from explicit support to ostensible neutrality, China is Pakistan’s trusted, tested, and dependable ally. Third, China also ensures space for Pakistan at different international forums in order to deal with India and its attempts to isolate Pakistan.
This historical context for Sino-Pakistan cooperation is as old as the founding of Pakistan. It dated back to 1951, when Pakistan became one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China, even when the U.S.-Pakistan relationship was strong. Each passing decade has demonstrated that Pak-China relations merge into a dependable friendship. Both states maintain robust official exchanges at all levels, conduct combined military and anti-terrorism exercises, and hold regular security, economic, and consular dialogues. Adding to the details of China-Pakistan cooperation, there is a long list of projects. The two countries have built together the heavy mechanical complex, electrical complex, machine tool factories, tank factories, aircraft factory, Gwadar port, railway modernisation and Karakorum Highway. China has provided Pakistan with nuclear assistance; made key investments in Pakistan’s port, transportation, and resource development infrastructure. Thus, one can keep counting the monuments of China Pakistan cooperation in the economic field.
Since the turn of the century, the China-Pakistan relationship has grown even stronger, and cooperation has been upgraded across the board. The year 2021 was marked as an important milestone in the diplomatic history of the two states, when they celebrated 70th anniversary of their successful diplomatic relations. Both states reviewed the past history, summed up the experience and have been moving for a better future of China-Pakistan relations with greater determination.
China ensures space for Pakistan at different international forums in order to deal with India and its attempts to isolate Pakistan
Following the tradition, Prime Minister Imran Khan’s recent visit to China to attend the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics and meet Chinese leaders paved new horizons with the beginning of the year 2022. The meetings were marked by traditional warmth, strategic mutual trust, and commonality of views that characterise the Pakistan-China All-Weather Economic and Strategic Cooperative Partnership. Both the leaders of the two countries held an in-depth exchange of views on the entire spectrum of bilateral relations as well as the regional situation and international political landscape, with the special focus on stronger economic and trade cooperation, including the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Additionally, this visit also grabbed the attention of commentators because both China and Pakistan had agreed to move forward with the second phase of CPEC. During the Phase-I of CPEC, out of $53 billion investments of $25 billion were materialized whereas $28 billion were under consideration. It must be understood that the second phase would be more crucial, as it depends not only on Pakistan’s rapid industrialisation but also on how and what Pakistan will offer to the region once the idea is materialised. Subsequently, during the second phase, Pakistan will have to focus on its internal dynamics in order to achieve the maximum benefit. CPEC, worth billions of dollars, has put great emphasis on the uplift of various sectors in the country, including agricultural cooperation, vocational training, poverty alleviation, socio-economic development (agricultural cooperation, vocational training, poverty alleviation), and setting up industrial zones.
This visit is an additional boost to implement the economic perspective of Pakistan’s National Security Policy (NSP) launched by the start of 2022. For the first time, Pakistan unveiled its comprehensive policy which emphasised and highlighted the importance of the regional geo-economics domain along with the geo-politics. Launching the document, Prime Minister Imran Khan said that “a country without a stable economy cannot be considered secure.” Therefore, sustainable growth and inclusive development are hallmarks of a secure nation. NSP clearly stated the mega infrastructure projects of CPEC as being a start for Pakistan’s economy and domestic growth. It facilitates other connectivity initiatives and brings an opportunity to increase export and industrial base while building rewarding economic relationships in the wider region. Assuming economic security at the vanguard of national security could be a building block to help the country in achieving long-sought economic stability.
With the evolving international dynamics, strengthening and deepening China-Pakistan strategic cooperation ought to be a natural option for mutual benefits. Despite their growing economic cooperation, security concerns would also likely play a major role in their relationship. China is aiming to stabilise the region, especially Afghanistan. Despite the unpredictable directions in which regional and international landscapes are evolving with rising challenges and risks, it is safe to say that China will continue to work with Pakistan to advance cooperation in all areas and the two countries will live up to the concept of ironclad friendship – and build an even closer community with a shared future in the coming years.
The joint efforts of both states will hopefully usher in an even brighter future of China-Pakistan relations and the region at large.
This article was published in The Friday Times on February 18, 2022. https://www.thefridaytimes.com/the-direction-of-china-pakistan-cooperation-to-come/
Amna Saqib is Research Officer & Assistant Editor at the Center for International Strategic Studies (CISS) Islamabad.