ISLAMABAD – The pace of shifting global alliances is baffling even the mostavid international relations observers. Big powers are abandoning theirallies and developing countries are leaving their neighbors behind topartner with distant nations.
But one relationship has transcended generations. As the People’s Republicof China celebrated the 70th anniversary of its founding, Pakistan has beenat its side during all highs and lows. The South Asian nation has been oneof China’s closest partners in the region, popularly known among its peopleas the “iron brother.”
When Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan arrived in China on October 8, itwas his third China visit in a year. The changing geopolitical situation inthe region and the world required taking each other’s leadership intoconfidence and consolidating the mutual support built over the years.
A joint press release related to the visit revealed that the two countrieshave been on the same page on the biggest issues. The Pakistan sidereaffirmed its commitment to the “one-China” principle and clear supportfor the “one country, two systems” principle.
The spate of violence that has plagued Hong Kong has been damaging thespecial administrative region’s economy and putting at stake its reputationas a global financial center. At such a critical time, China’s partners,including Pakistan, have come forward asking for upholding internationallaw and avoiding interference in internal affairs.
China too has been cognizant of the territorial sensitivities of Pakistan.The recent abrogation of the autonomous status of Jammu and Kashmir byIndia has been a major concern for Pakistan and came up several timesduring Khan’s meetings with Chinese leadership.
While paying close attention to the circumstances in Kashmir, China hasstated its clear position on this dispute left from history. It asks for apeaceful resolution based on the UN Charter, relevant UN Security Councilresolutions and bilateral agreements and “opposes any unilateral actionsthat complicate the situation.”
Another matter that has been a point of common concern is the predicamentin Afghanistan where decades of war and failed reconstruction drives haveleft the country devastated. Both China and Pakistan are making efforts topromote peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan.
Extending the China-proposed Belt and Roadlink Initiative (BRI)to Afghanistan has been a common objective of both China and Pakistan tospur economic growth in the war-ravaged country. The Afghan government hasbeen interested in the prospects of linking the China-Pakistan EconomicCorridor (CPEC) to Kabul via a highway through the Pakistani city ofPeshawar.
Unlike what speculative reports in Western media point out, CPEC is righton track. The infrastructure network connecting Northwest China’s Xinjianglink UyghurAutonomous Region with the Indian Ocean through Pakistan’s Gwadar is aboutto be completed.
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Khan’s visit was used by both sides to sort out the modalities of expandingCPEC into its second phase. During this phase the corridor will focus onindustrial and socioeconomic development in Pakistan by increasing projectsthat improve livelihood. The development of special economic zones is alsoa part of this phase as construction work on several zones has begun.
Gwadar, the terminating point of CPEC, where China has built astate-of-the-art deep sea port, received special tax concessions daysbefore the visit of Khan. The move paved the way for industrialization ofthe city and lent encouragement to Chinese projects populating itsindustrial estate.
During the visit, Khan appreciated China’s anti-corruption drive. Around621,000 people in China were punished for corruption in 2018. The CentralCommission for Discipline Inspection has been the leading government bodyin investigating and rooting out the malaise.
For decades, Pakistan itself has been battling corruption that has stifledits progress. The present government emerged triumphant in the generalelection in 2018 with a mandate that found birth in the nation’sfrustration over the problem. With several prominent politicians now behindbars, the country’s National Accountability Bureau has been extensively inthe news for its successes.
Khan has been an ardent supporter of China’s poverty alleviation program.On the night of his election victory, he addressed the nation in atelevised speech and vowed to take a cue from the Chinese approach.Speaking at the China Council for Promotion of International Trade inBeijing on October 8, he reiterated his willingness to learn from how Chinabrought 700 million people out of poverty in just 30 years.
The willingness to strengthen a relationship that has stood the test oftime starts right at the top. This visit was a true manifestation of that.
*The author is a Pakistan-based freelance journalist and commentator onmodern China. danielhyatt83@hotmail.com *
