Another milestone in Pak-China ties

The three days visit of Chinese Premier Mr. Wen Jiabao, has attained another milestone in the history of bi-lateral relationship of Pakistan and China. This visit is indeed of a unique significance, as it covers all aspects viz; the strategic, political and economic. During the visit, Premier Wen Jiabao made sure that he meets all stakeholders in Pakistan.

Apart from the traditional meetings with the President and Prime Minister, Chinese Premier met with leaders of all political parties of Pakistan. Rather, it was a rare mosaic of Pakistani political, religious, and territorial leadership gathering to welcome their all time friend in Islamabad. This gathering was indicative of the fact that, there exists no second opinion about Pakistan’s relationship with the People’s Republic of China. No global leader ever has such a reception and united response and indeed a spirit of love from Pakistan ever. Premier also had a detail meeting with the Armed Forces heads under Chairman Joint Chief of Staff Committee and assured further enhancement in the ongoing cooperation in the field of defence. Premier Wen Jiabao declared that, “Beijing would never give up on Pakistan.”

Following the establishment of Pak-China diplomatic relationship in May 1951, both countries has attained many milestones in their bi-lateral relationship. Pakistan, otherwise among the first few countries, which recognized this great communist state, proved its friendship by making strong lobby in getting the UN membership for China. The initial slow pace of mutual understanding got an impetus following the Sino-India war of 1962. In the era of Field Martial Muhammad Ayub, then Foreign Minister (later Prime Minister), Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto formalised this relationship on the strategic direction. Through his strategic vision, he made Pak-China relationship as an essential and never changing pillar of the Foreign Policy of Pakistan. The same vision exists even today and Pakistan maintained it as an inalienable part of its diplomatic relationship.

China has always appreciated its deep-rooted friendship with Pakistan and acknowledges Pakistan’s untiring efforts for getting her closer to United States in early 1970s. Indeed, through this collaboration during the peak days of the cold war, Pakistan lessened the tension, previously existed between US and the China. Following this collaboration, China got an opening and diplomatic and trade excess into the Western world, whereas, US got a Communist friend in Asia. In a way, Pakistan proved its significance and vision as a broker of international facilitator if not mediator. Thereafter, Chinese markets and goods were introduced at the global level and its economy started prospering to a level of second to US only in the contemporary world today. For the United States, this was the first moral and diplomatic pre-eminence over former Soviet Union.

During the visit of Prime Minister Wen Jiabao, Pakistan and China concluded economic deals worth $35 billion in total. These deals include; 17 agreements, four memorandum of understanding (MoU) and a joint venture. This indeed is a new record of the economic deals and agreements in the history of traditional friends. Both Premiers attended the Pak-China Business Cooperation summit, participated by 260 Chinese delegates with their 150 Pakistani counterparts. On this occasion, Chinese Premier, reiterated his resolve to enhance the bilateral trade with Pakistan in the coming years in a bid to improve the flow of investments between both countries.” He said that, “his country would increase investment in Gwadar Port. The port currently being administered by Port of Singapore Authority (PSA) was constructed by China in 2006. Chinese Premier promised that his country would remove the trade barrier between Pakistan and China by improving trade infrastructure and promoting Pakistani exports to his country.

Earlier Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani, appreciated Chinese investment in Pakistan, especially in the energy sector of Pakistan. Prime Minister Gillani said that, “We would encourage Chinese companies to consider investments in the energy sector, which assures certain returns. Our energy requirements are expected to increase from 20,000MWs to more than 160,000MWs by the year 2030.” In fact Pakistan is not a resource deficient country, but problem lies with the technical expertise, infrastructure development and finances. Today, apart from huge amount of unexplored oil and gas, ““Pakistan has 185 billion tonnes of coal reserves, which would be converted into energy to satisfy Pakistan’s growing demand.” Besides, Pakistan welcome, Chinese experts for the exploration of its oil and gas resources. Prime Minister assured Chinese investors for special economic incentives like; “duty-free import of plant and machinery, exemption from sales tax and income tax.” Pakistan and China are already working for the development of the Pak-China Trade Corridor along the Karakoram Highway (KKH). In this regard, the highway is being upgraded and lying of a railway track along the KKH is in progress. Upon development of this overland route, there would be further boost to the economic relationship. Pakistan is otherwise becoming a hub for the oil and gas from Central Asia and Middle East. With the improvement of communication infrastructure, oil and gas from these regions can easily be transported to the Chinese territories either through oil tankers or through an overland gas pipeline. Premier Gillani assured his counterpart for the safety of Chinese nationals working in Pakistan. He said, “Besides a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement and the Joint Five Year Economic Programme, we are now jointly endeavouring to establish closer financial and banking sector cooperation.”

Chinese Premier also addressed the Joint Session of the Pakistani Parliament, indeed, a unique honour for a dignitary as well as the host itself. He assured Pakistan that, China supports Pakistani point of view/ stand on Kashmir issue. Kashmiri must get their right of self-determination as per UN resolutions. China indeed, rejects all Indian assertions of betraying Pak-China relationship and regional domination by India. China does not support Indian case for a permanent membership of UNSC. China also assured Pakistan for its full supports on Pakistani position on the Afghan issue. The visit truly proved that Pak-China relationship is higher than mountains and deeper than oceans.

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