*ISLAMABAD – The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is being widelydiscussed and covered in the media, but the relations between Pakistan andChina go much further than the CPEC.*
We are strategic partners and our relationship has a long history. Chinesetraders used to pass through Pakistan several thousand years ago, anarticle in the state-run Chinese newspaper ‘Global Times’ said on Tuesday.
Previous generations of leaders in both countries laid strong foundationsof friendship. It is our moral duty to carry on this precious friendshipand transfer it to our next generation. Our relationship is above justmaterialistic interests. Actually, we are “iron brothers,” the article said.
The economies of Pakistan and China complement each other and the twocountries support each other in domestic and international issues.
Right after the Belt and Road (B&R) initiative was proposed in 2013,Pakistan immediately supported the idea and extended full support.
We believe the B&R initiative is a model for the future development ofChina and the whole region. It is all about connectivity and trade and itcovers multiple continents.
It promotes development of Infrastructure to facilitate movement of peopleand goods among various countries.
It also promotes cultural exchanges and the creation of harmony amongvarious cultures and nations. The B&R can also help in controllingextremism, terrorism and intolerance, as stability and peace depend oninteraction among nations.
Up to now, more than 100 countries and international organizations havesigned B&R cooperation documents with China, and the B&R has beenrecognized by the UN.
There are also six planned economic corridors. While the CPEC is theflagship initiative, both China and Pakistan are committed to making it arole model for the rest of the world.
There may be challenges and difficulties, but we have to overcome them andmake the CPEC a success story, the article said.
The CPEC can help Pakistan to take off economically and the fruits of itsearly projects are already being applauded by the people, it says.
The country’s railway system, which was laid by the British is beingupgraded, and this will make travel and cargo transport faster and moreeconomical.
Work on the Gwadar port is moving ahead at a rapid pace and the port isalready partially operational. Once it is completed, it will be the largestdeep-sea port in the region.
It will also be the most convenient sea port for Russia, China, CentralAsia and Afghanistan.
This will revolutionize the trade pattern of the whole region.
The CPEC is now entering the next important phase, in whichindustrialization will take place. Pakistan is developing nine SpecialEconomic Zones (SEZs) with close consultation with China.
Some Chinese industries will move into Pakistan and industrialization willbe instrumental for social and economic development of the country. It willcreate tremendous job opportunities for younger generations and willpromote economic activity. If Pakistan can improve its industrialproductivity, it can help to meet domestic demand and reduce the relianceon imports. Also, if more goods are exported, the country can draw in moreforeign exchange.
Gwadar is strategically located close to the energy-rich Middle East, andit will give China access to the Indian Ocean.
It can also offer an alternative trade route to the Strait of Malacca. TheCPEC creates a win-win situation, and both China and Pakistan will reapsignificant benefits from it, the paper said.