Jahangir's World Times First Comprehensive Magazine for students/teachers of competitive exams and general readers as well.
Pakistani nation very warmly welcomed the new Chinese Premier Mr Li Keqiang in his second home on 22 May 2013. He was on his first foreign trip after assuming the office. President of Pakistan, Prime Minister, Chairman Senate, the Services Chiefs, caretaker ministers, ambassadors and senior officials received the Chinese leader.
In fact, China that has been our “all-weather friend” has now become the ‘iron friend’. Therefore, it would not be improbable to say that decades-old Sino-Pak friendship that was established in 1950 is now higher and mightier than the ‘Himalayas’. It’s beyond any kind of vested interests or geographical and political boundaries now. In this connection, a day before entering into Pakistan, the Chinese Premier very rightly stated that Pak-China relationship is ahead of political changes in both the countries. Thus, we can say, that Pak-China friendship is not between two states; rather it’s between two nations. Pakistan is the first country that acknowledged China when she appeared on world map in 1948.
Notably, Pakistan-China trade successfully crossed the barrier of $ 12 billion in 2012. A major development in bilateral trade was the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) signed in 2003 which was followed by a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in 2006. In the last three years, Pakistani exports to China have almost tripled to $ 3.14 billion. China is currently Pakistan’s largest single country trading partner. Moreover, both the states are the largest trading partners in South Asia too. This puts us firmly on track to achieve the trade target of $ 15 billion in the next few years.
During his visit Mr Li showed interest in widening the Karakoram Highway which starts from the Xinjiang region of China and ends in Abbottabad. He also urged the opening of new economic corridor from China to Gwadar. China is fully aware of the security challenges that are being faced in Balochistan by the Pakistan.
It is also worth-mentioning here that hidden foreign hand has never ever missed an opportunity to exploit Balochistan’s security issue on the occasion of important events in Pakistan. For example, on May 23, 2013, during Chinese premier’s tour, foreign-sponsored elements struck an explosive-laden rickshaw with a truck carrying the security men in Quetta. Resultantly, 11 security personnel were killed and many others were injured. The agenda behind these intrigues seems to be keeping China away from the Gwadar Port that is of huge importance to Pakistan and India equally.
Giving the operations of Gwadar port under Chinese control, firstly, will bring revolutionary changes in the life of the poor people of Balochistan and secondly it will be one of the main hindrances in American’ objectives of containment of China, holding Central Asia, increasing influence in Indian Ocean and opening new economic venues while using shortest possible routes from northern Chinese provinces to Africa.
“China-Pakistan relations have withstood the tests of internationally changing situations and have become a model of living in amity among countries.”
Chinese Premier’s visit to Pakistan has significant value and would be viewed in the context of changing regional political, security environment and strategic implications after drawdown of US-led forces from Afghanistan in 2014. We all know that the US, since 9/11, is occupying Afghanistan and has established bases in the name of War on Terror.
US could move to tighten her hold on the Pacific and the Central Asia in collaboration with South Korea and Japan. Regarding control of Indian Ocean, Washington is relying upon India. In this regard, US strategy would be to shift her forces physically in South Korea and Japan while leaving behind the strong mobile forces in Afghanistan. The purpose of establishing mobile bases would be to look after US and western interests in the area after moving the pull-out. Given this situation, China, Pakistan, Russia, North Korea, Iran, Turkey and Sri Lanka are the leading countries who should sit together and establish some platform to architect regional security, tackle the emerging potential threat, judicious use of regional resources for the economic growth and countering US design of strengthening uni-polar system.
Pakistan and China are determined to eliminate terrorism and have proper mechanism of countering separatism and extremism as well. Both countries can also play their role in creating a stable and peaceful Afghanistan post-US withdrawal. Both countries are also resolute to pursue the goal of peaceful development in the region. Pakistan has taken a number of practical measures to stop the militants of Uzbak and others origin towards China’s western region of ‘Xiao Kang’.
Both countries are also convinced that China’s western region is very well connected with the markets in South, Central and West Asia as well as the Middle East. Similarly, Russia can also be provided trade route up to Gwadar Port. Pakistan provides a natural corridor for regional growth by connecting western China to the broader Asian region. China and Pakistan should revive the old Silk Route, which will qualitatively change the regional economy. Gwadar Port can play an instrumental role in this regard.
On this issue, Chinese leaders took Obama Administration to the task and revealed that double standard of American foreign policy is a hindrance in Sino-US relations. Beijing also indicated that it would “partially” stop bilateral military exchange programmes with the Washington and will also suspend talks on strategic security, arms control and anti-proliferation that were scheduled to take place soon.
In fact, China’s stance over current arms deal to Taiwan is absolutely correct since USA never displayed seriousness in establishing permanent relations with Beijing. The history reveals that overall Chinese relations with USA always remained under clouds.
In short, Islamabad and Beijing should take on some fast track projects of speedy development of infrastructures to open new economic corridor. America should put off the glasses and pay attention to her domestic affairs rather than seeing daydreams of solely ruling the world.
