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Editor's note:
The writer, Mr. I. Hussain Janjua is a senior media professional and analyst having experience of research & broadcast journalism in different organisations. He is a non-resident fellow of Chengdu Institute of World Affairs (CIWA). (Email: [email protected]; twitter: @ihussainjanjua)
Pakistan and China have enjoyed close and friendly relations since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1951. Over the years, the relationship has blossomed into an "All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership", with the CPEC at its core. Pakistan considers China as one of its closest friends and partners and China considers Pakistan as its "Iron Brother".
In fact, it is friendship that is based on sound geostrategic and realist calculations while four issues --- terrorism, security of Chinese personnel engaged in different projects in Pakistan, people to people contact and India --- have been extremely important in shaping up the changing outlook of Pakistan-China relations.
Historically, four major events; the boundary agreement in March 1963, support in 1965 war, the Kissinger secret visit to China arranged by Pakistan and the rare veto option adapted by China in United Nations Security Council smoothened the relationship towards increased cooperation.
These relations continued gaining strength despite changing international stages from global war on terror to other major events. However, the bond of friendship can be traced back to centuries-old trade relations, when Chinese traders used to travel through Pakistan on their business trips to the Middle-East, Europe, and the rest of the world through ancient Silk Route.
In this very background and amidst pressures in the pos-COVID-19 world when new alignments are being drawn, Prime Minister Imran Khan has unequivocally declared that Pakistan’s future is tied to China which has stood by Pakistan through thick and thin. He was critical of Western countries role for using India against China to substantiate their personal interests.
This assertion on the part of Pakistani Prime Minister is highly significant as Pakistan has been under considerable pressure viz-a-viz relationship with the US in the backdrop of United Arab Emirate and Israel agreement. It is also important that both China and Pakistan recognize each other’s importance that is vital to further strengthening of their mutual ties.
Being a highly strategic country has a pivotal role in the region, the enhanced cooperation in defense production is remarkable in the changing regional dynamics --- focus being to secure the region and access to the markets of Middle East particularly in the field of energy. Their joint ventures besideds peaceful use of nuclear technology and science and technology and joint production have led to manufacture the MBT 2000 Al-Khalid Tank and JF-17 Thunder which besides strategic significance is a unique example of Sino-Pak deep-rooted friendship.
The recent phenomenon of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as part of the larger Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has given new economic dimension to this relationship --- having entered the second phase, around $75 billion worth CPEC will lead to development of infrastructure that will not only lift Pakistani economy but also offer China a transit route to the regional and global markets also having strategically significance.
Senator and Pak-China Institute Chairman Mushahid Hussain Syed is of the opinion that Pakistan and China were strategic partners in a journey of progress and prosperity and increasing cooperation between the two countries was an example for the world.
The CPEC has emerged as a successful model throughout the world and CPEC projects had started bearing fruits as the projects were of paramount importance for realizing the dream of people of both the countries. “Pak-China friendship was touching new heights and the relations of two countries would further enhance in future,”says the Senator.
Also held together under the umbrella of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), the changing dynamics of the world have necessitated new era of economic cooperation while people to people contact needs to be strengthen as well building a harmonious world of enduring peace and common prosperity.
The leadership of both the countries is committed to taking this relationship forward President Xi Jinping’s attribution of the friendship between China and Pakistan as "unbreakable and rock-solid" despite changes in the international and regional situation is more than significant while one cannot forget to recall the famous statement of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang “If you love China, Love Pakistan too.” These statements are not only the building blocks but the proven realities of the glories of time between the two countries.
The visit of Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi at this juncture when the world is faced with Corona pandemic while South Asian region is witnessing Indian belligerence is very important for evolving a united stance and a pertinent response.
Moreover, President Xi Jinping forthcoming visit that was scheduled for May this year but was delayed due to the Coronavirus outbreaknow expected by the year end is likely to take this relationship to new heights and do away with misconceptions, if any, in the greater regional context.
(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)
