China to hire more local workers, transfer technology to Pakistan under CPEC: Global Times
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Pakistan has enjoyed a firm relationship with China for more than 60 years. However, in terms of bilateral cooperation related to the Belt and Road (B&R) initiative, many Pakistani media reports have alleged that these investments do not simply reflect the Sino-Pakistan friendship or represent pure assistance to Pakistan, but are instead driven by China's interests.
Mutual benefit is an important driving force of Chinese investment in Pakistan, so I want to remind Chinese-funded enterprises of the issues they need to watch when investing in Pakistan.
First, Chinese-funded enterprises should hire more local workers and gradually export technology to Pakistan. These conditions ought to be the minimum requirement for investment in the country.
Mutual benefit is an important driving force of Chinese investment in Pakistan, so I want to remind Chinese-funded enterprises of the issues they need to watch when investing in Pakistan.
First, Chinese-funded enterprises should hire more local workers and gradually export technology to Pakistan. These conditions ought to be the minimum requirement for investment in the country.
At the same time, Chinese-funded enterprises should take the initiative to learn and master the local system and culture, follow the rules, positively interact with the local community and never ignore issues related to labor welfare, security and environmental protection.
In addition to participating in government projects, Chinese enterprises can also strive harder to cooperate with local private companies. Only then can these investments gradually be approved and accepted by the local people, allowing Chinese-funded enterprises to develop more smoothly and quickly.
Second, Chinese-funded enterprises should avoid flaunting economic and technical superiority in any context or situation. For example, the US often takes advantage of its economic and cultural position to make interventions into the systems, economies and cultures of other countries, a tactic that has been widely criticized, resented and resisted.
Pakistan lags behind China in science and technology, economics and other areas, but Chinese companies should avoid superior behavior and instead communicate with the people of Pakistan in an equal, friendly and cooperative manner. Doing so will give China a better image and build harmonious coexistence for Chinese-funded enterprises investing in Pakistan.
Third, Chinese enterprises should have a sense of mission in mind. Some Chinese-funded enterprises think that the B&R initiative should serve the interests of China. If China goes down this road, it won't be able to create a peaceful development path. It will also disappoint countries that are relying on China to change the current international order, and it will make the countries involved with the B&R initiative suspicious of China's motives.
If Chinese-funded enterprises in Pakistan act in a short-sighted manner and show little interest in the local benefits, Pakistan's patience and confidence in cooperating with China will ebb.
The idea and core of the B&R initiative is more than merely exploring new models of international cooperation. It also involves the formation of a new type of global governance and international order. Therefore, Chinese-funded companies must shoulder responsibility and show more tolerance when seeking profits. To respect customs in other cities and value the common interests are good ways of doing business abroad.
Wu Menglin is an associate researcher with China Silk Road iValley Research Institute. Liang Haiming is chairman and chief economist with China Silk Road iValley Research Institute. bizopinion@globaltimes.com.cn
In addition to participating in government projects, Chinese enterprises can also strive harder to cooperate with local private companies. Only then can these investments gradually be approved and accepted by the local people, allowing Chinese-funded enterprises to develop more smoothly and quickly.
Second, Chinese-funded enterprises should avoid flaunting economic and technical superiority in any context or situation. For example, the US often takes advantage of its economic and cultural position to make interventions into the systems, economies and cultures of other countries, a tactic that has been widely criticized, resented and resisted.
Pakistan lags behind China in science and technology, economics and other areas, but Chinese companies should avoid superior behavior and instead communicate with the people of Pakistan in an equal, friendly and cooperative manner. Doing so will give China a better image and build harmonious coexistence for Chinese-funded enterprises investing in Pakistan.
Third, Chinese enterprises should have a sense of mission in mind. Some Chinese-funded enterprises think that the B&R initiative should serve the interests of China. If China goes down this road, it won't be able to create a peaceful development path. It will also disappoint countries that are relying on China to change the current international order, and it will make the countries involved with the B&R initiative suspicious of China's motives.
If Chinese-funded enterprises in Pakistan act in a short-sighted manner and show little interest in the local benefits, Pakistan's patience and confidence in cooperating with China will ebb.
The idea and core of the B&R initiative is more than merely exploring new models of international cooperation. It also involves the formation of a new type of global governance and international order. Therefore, Chinese-funded companies must shoulder responsibility and show more tolerance when seeking profits. To respect customs in other cities and value the common interests are good ways of doing business abroad.
Wu Menglin is an associate researcher with China Silk Road iValley Research Institute. Liang Haiming is chairman and chief economist with China Silk Road iValley Research Institute. bizopinion@globaltimes.com.cn
