Pakistan-China ties matchless

May 21 is one of the most memorable days in the lives of Pakistani and Chinese people because it was on this day, in the year 1951, that bilateral diplomatic relations between the two nations were established. 

Pakistan was among the first few countries of the world that recognised China after it became a republic in 1949. It was the sagacity of all the Pakistani leaders, irrespective of their party background or direction, who understood the significance of having cordial ties with the emerging power of the region and of the world ie People’s Republic of China. In fact, the entire Pakistani nation, meaning the people at the grassroots, had always held their Chinese brethren in high esteem particularly because of the peace-loving style of Chinese people who worked wonders and brought about economic turnaround, as if in a magical way, by the dint of sheer hard, honest work, commitment and faith in their destiny. 

The fact is that Pakistani people and leaders have always remained on the same page with reference to having close, strategic ties with the People’s Republic of China. During the last 65 years, every day, rather every moment has passed in the direction of strengthening and diversification of these ties that are likened to deeper than oceans and sweeter than honey and higher than Himalayas. In reality, they are far above these metaphors. No two countries of the world are enjoying such high level of mutually trustworthy relations like Pakistan and China. 

The latest gift that has come from China which has almost ‘shaken’ the jealous lobby in the comity of nations, is the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) that is a game changer not only because it brings a huge investment of $46 billion from China on reasonable terms but also because it is going to transform Pakistan into an axis of global connectivity through a marvelously planned infrastructure and communications network. 

Pakistan will virtually turn into a Corridor of Connectivity, Energy and Prosperity, following the completion of CPEC. Fruits will be reaped even much earlier, ie before the CPEC completion because the very announcement of such a big project/Corridor has qualified Pakistan for more huge investments from other countries including some countries of the Western and the Arabian regions. Ambassadors and delegations from some countries have already met the Pakistan government functionaries and top leaders and expressed their serious interest in investing in Pakistan. 

In this regard, it also needs to be properly understood that the FDI (Foreign Direct Investment), especially the one coming from China is not merely an economic or business deal based on the consideration of profit. No doubt, Pakistan’s growing economy and ever-expanding elements of national power (the collective strength of the society at large) make Pakistan an attractive investment destination nevertheless huge, multidimensional investment from China demonstrates this country’s great affinity with Pakistani nation. 

Take the example of Lahore’s Orange Line Train project in the province of Punjab. The terms and conditions placed before the Chinese by the Punjab government were accepted in the spirit of time-tested friendship according to which a Pakistani organisation was allowed to assist in civil works etc in a totally transparent manner. The soft terms and conditions of this project also prove that China wants Pakistan to prosper at a fast pace and forever. If one carries out an in-depth evaluation of the 65 years of Pak-China relations, it can be verily said that the ties between the two countries have witnessed a rapid development and have always moved forward, no matter how the international and domestic situations change. Pakistan firmly supports China on the issues of Taiwan, Tibet, Xinjiang and other issues concerning China’s core interests. China always firmly supported Pakistan in safeguarding its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and provides sincere and selfless assistance to Pakistan to help it achieve economic development and social stability. 

Pakistan stood by Beijing at a time when it stood isolated on the world stage. It was due to Pakistan’s alliance with the US and strong ties with China that enabled it to facilitate the end of China’s isolation by orchestrating rapprochement between China and US. Former prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was the person whose endeavours got China and the United States closer. And it was not only one Pakistani leader, ZAB, who did his utmost to promote Pak-China ties but other leaders, whether they were elected leaders or military rulers, also worked incessantly to strengthen these relations. 

And who doesn’t remember that 40 years ago, hundreds of Chinese and Pakistani workers sacrificed their lives in the construction of the Karakoram Highway project and built the road of China-Pakistan friendship with their blood. In the area of trade, after 40 years, China has become Pakistan’s second largest trading partner, while Pakistan becomes China’s largest investment destination in South Asia. Total bilateral trade reached $18 billion. Positive developments were registered in previous years as trade volume between the two sides grew from $5.7 billion to $100.11billion during a 15-year period from 2000 to 2015 while total value of contracts signed between the two in this period went from $1.8billion to $150.8billion. The friendship between China and Pakistan is not only reflected in the all-round cooperation, but is also deeply rooted in the hearts of the two peoples. In Pakistan, both high officials and the ordinary people regard Chinese as family members. Chinese citizens rather call Pakistanis as “iron brothers” which means that in the hearts of Chinese people, Pakistanis are always taken for Chinese people’s iron-core brothers. In all, the friendship between China and Pakistan is indeed as solid as gold and as fragrant as orchid. Over the years, the two countries have extended helping hands to each other in critical moments and together share the weal and woe. As regards the exchanges between the leaders of the two nations, there have been a good few visits from both sides to each country, especially during the recent years. 

When the PPP was in power, both President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani paid a number of visits to China whereas during the incumbency of the present Pakistani administration, President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif have visited China twice and reached important consensus with Chinese leaders on bilateral relations and other major issues. 

China and Pakistan will continue to maintain the momentum of frequent high-level exchanges, firmly support each other’s major interests and concerns, and to further enhance the basis of political cooperation and mutual trust level. It is also noteworthy that Chinese President Xi Jinping has made a lot of strategic planning to promote regional economic integration, including the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. The “Belt and Road Initiatives” create a good platform for the common development of China and Asian countries and will contribute to the Asian connectivity and win-win cooperation. 

In last October, more than 20 Asian countries signed in Beijing an intergovernmental MoU on the establishment of Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. The bank is a useful supplement to the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank and other existing financial institutions. This will greatly broaden and deepen pragmatic cooperation, benefit our two peoples and greatly contribute to the prosperity and progress of the whole Asia. Then, in addition to the approval of CPEC on July 5, 2013, China also announced a commitment of $6.5 billion on December 24, 2013, to finance the construction of a major nuclear power project in Karachi. The project will have two reactors with a capacity of 1,100 megawatts. On April 20, 2015, Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Pakistan. It was the first visit to Pakistan by a Chinese president after a gap of nine years and the first foreign trip of Xi in 2015. As many as 51 Memorandums of Understanding were signed, including the plan of “Pakistan-China Economic Corridor”. One area in particular also deserves mention and that is defence cooperation. In the field of defence, China has extended invaluable cooperation that extends to all three services. It has not only provided weapons and equipment but has also assisted Pakistan in developing a strong defence industrial capability. The Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, Heavy Industries Taxila, several factories and production lines in the Pakistan Ordnance Factories, maritime projects for the navy and missile factories have been set up with Chinese assistance. The production of JF-17 Thunder fighter plane at Aeronautical Complex Kamra stands out as a monumental cooperation between the two countries. Pakistan is poised to even export these aircraft and recently Qatar and Sri Lanka have shown interest in buying
these state-of-the art aircraft, which would greatly benefit Pakistan in regard to earning foreign exchange.