Pakistan has an everlasting, multifaceted and strong relationship with China. Pakistan was one of the first groups of countries who recognized China. On May 21, 1951, both the countries officially established their diplomatic relations. Since then the friendship grew only stronger. The strong ties of friendship between Pakistan and china are defined by mutual trust and confidence. A close ideology and mutuality of interest remain the hallmark of bilateral ties.
In the beginning of pak-china relation, Pakistan kept general relations with china because Pakistan was an ally of the west. During Bangdung conference Pakistani Prime Minister M. Ali and Chinese premier Zhou Enlai had a friendly talk. (http://www.css.theazkp.com/, 2015)
In Oct 1956, Prime Minister Sulawadi officially visited China on the invitation of Chinese government. In Dec 1956, Chinese premier Zhou Enlai visited Pakistan. These visits played an important role in promoting the friendly relations among the two countries. (http://www.css.theazkp.com/, 2015)
From 1957 to 1960, Pakistan kept on making efforts to restore China’s legal position in the UN general assembly. In 1961, Pakistan voted in the favour of china in all the bills related to the restoration of China’s legal position in UN general assembly. (http://www.css.theazkp.com/, 2015)
In March 1962, pak-china signed a boundary agreement on China’s Xingjiang and other territories in which the defence was under the control of pakistan.
In November 1970, Pakistani President Yahya Khan visited China. While in power, Z.A.Bhutto visited China three times from 1972 to 1976. After coming into power, Zia-ul Huq visited China in December 1977. (http://www.css.theazkp.com/, 2015)
In August 1982 both countries agreed on opening of Khunjerab pass on pak-china boarder.
Since 1990s Pak-china friendship have only grew stronger despite of the great changes that had taken place in the international politics.
In December 1996, Pakistan invited president of china Mr. Jiang Zemin, he paid a state visit to Pakistan. It was an event to remember, the leaders of both states decided to establish an all round cooperative partnership in the 21st century. Mr. Jiang made a very important speech during his visit to Pakistan entitled “carrying forward friendly and neighbourly relations from generation to generation, and working together for a better future.” In 1998, Prime Minister of Pakistan Mr. Mian Mohammad Nawaz Sharif visited China and in 2000, Pakistan chief executive General Pervaiz Musharaf paid a working visit to China. President of china Jiang met Gen. Pervaiz during Millennium Summit held in New York in September of the year 2000. (http://www.css.theazkp.com/, 2015)
2001 marked the 50th anniversary of Pakistan and china’s diplomatic relation; many colourful ceremonies took place in both of the countries. Pak-china’s relational history was best described on (30 may, 2001) ceremony of pak-china relation by Mr. lin shanglin, counsel general of the people’s republic of china. As he said:
“China and Pakistan are close neighbours linked by common mountains and rivers. The friendship between the Chinese and Pakistani people has a long history. As early as 2000 years ago, the world-renowned Silk Road linked the two sides together. In the 7th century A.D. an eminent Chinese monk in the tang dynasty by the name Xuanzang travelled westward to seek the Buddhist sutra and described, in his famous book “records of western travels”, his fond memory of the land and the people of Pakistan, which has turned into a historical legend in china.
(Bilateral Relations)
Pakistan was among the first few countries to establish diplomatic relations with new china. We will never forget it is our Pakistani friends who provided us airway leading to rest of the world at our most difficult times. Neither shall we forget it is our Pakistani friends who gave us firm support when china’s legitimate seat was restored at the UN. Nor shall we forget it is our Pakistani friends again who uphold justice and lend china.”
(shanglin, 3 (July 2001))
From that era till now (2016) many visits have been paid by the leaders of both countries to each other and many pacts and agreements have been signed many projects have been started by China in Pakistan and Billions of Dollars have been invested by China in Pakistan making Pakistan China’s biggest investing destination in South Asia.
ECONOMIC COOPERATION:
China has become Pakistan’s second largest trading partner, while Pakistan becomes China’s largest investment destination in South Asia with total bilateral trade reached at 18 billion US dollars. Positive developments were registered in previous years as trade volume between the two sides grew from $5.7bn to $100.11bn during a 15-year period from 2000 to 2015 while total value of contracts signed between the two in this period went from $1.8bn to $150.8bn. The construction of 46 billion US dollars China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is progressing well and covers all areas including energy, finance, information and communications. (report taken from PAKISTAN TODAY)
Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif Saturday said the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project would change the course of history and the entire region, including Pakistan, would get benefit from this mega project. (CPEC, NOV 26, 2016)
According to Pakistan Economic Survey 2014-15, the volume of trade between Pakistan and China has increased to $16 billion. China’s exports to Pakistan increased by ten percent during the five years from 2009-10 to 2014-15. As a result, China’s share in Pakistan’s total exports has gradually picked up from four percent in 2009-10 to nine percent during the fiscal year 2014-15.The most recent milestone achieved in this bilateral relationship is the signing of Memorandum of Understanding on the construction of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). CPEC is a 3,218 kilometer long route, to be built over next several years, consisting of highways, railways and pipelines. The actual estimated cost of the project is expected to be US$75 billion, out of which US$45 billion plus will ensure that the corridor ;becomes operational by 2020. The remaining investment will be spent on energy generation and infrastructure development. The much advertised US$45 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor will pass through the beautiful Gilgit Baltistan province in the north which will connect Kashgar in China’s western province Xinjiang to rest of the world through Chinese-operated Gwadar port in the country's south. This mega project is expected to take the bilateral relationship between Pakistan and China to new heights, it’s a beginning of a journey which hopes to transform the economy and help bridge Pakistan’s power shortfall.
The CPEC appears to be a very crucial project for both the countries. For China it provides an alternate secure route to import Energy and find new markets for its goods and services. For Pakistan it helps counters Indian influence in the region, position itself as a major transit point connecting Eurasian region with South Asia and South East Asia and provide a much needed base to kick start its economic growth.
(deloitte.com, 2015) (tribune, 13 November 2015.)
COOPERATION IN ENERGY CRISIS:
“China and Pakistan should deepen their cooperation in terms of nuclear energy by using it peacefully” said Mr. Yang Chaodong, the President of high profile China National Nuclear Cooperation (CNNC).
Mr. Yang Chaodong said “when President Xi Jinping visited Pakistan in 2015 both the governments had signed cooperation agreements in which 20 energy projects were being developed which will have a total capacity of 16400MW and in these projects an early harvest was being done of 10400MW which would be finished by the year 2018. It was said that nuclear power Chashma C1 and C2 gives 325MW which are already operational and C3 and C4 were under construction and would be completed by 2016 and 2017. The total accumulative capacity would then be 1300MW.” (khan, 19th june, 2016)
COOPERATION IN THE FIELD OF MASS COMMUNICATION & CULTURAL PROMOTION:
Chinese art troops visited Pakistan and performed their folk songs, dance, and traditional music. In literature a few writings have been translated into each other's language from both sides. First Pak-China cultural exchange agreement was signed in March 1965. In 1980’s, a special agreement was signed between two states to promote the cultural interaction in the field of TV and film after that many MOU’s have been signed by both countries in the field of mass media some of them are:
1. MOU between State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television and M/o IB and NH (SAPPRFT) Signed on April 20, 2015
2. MOU on the Implementation of Digital Television Terrestrial Multimedia Broadcast (DTMB) in Pakistan Signed in Nov/Dec 2014.
3. Tri party Agreement between Pakistan Television Corporation (PTVC), China Central Television (CCTV) and Pakistan Television Foundation Signed on April 20, 2015
Ex-post facto approval of Federal Cabinet of Pakistan accorded on 24.08.2015.
4. MOU between China radio international (CRI) and Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (PBC) Signed on July 07, 2010
5. Agreement between China radio international (CRI) and Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (PBC) Signed on December 17, 2010
6. First Amendment in the Agreement between China radio international (CRI) and Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (PBC) Signed on January 16, 2011
7. Second Amendment in the Agreement between China radio international (CRI) and Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (PBC) Signed on August 11, 2014
8. Third Amendment in the Agreement between China radio international (CRI) and Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (PBC) Signed on December 29, 2014
9. MoU between Pakistan Television Corporation (PTVC) and China Central Television (CCTV) Signed on April 12, 2014.
(http://infopak.gov.pk/pakchina.aspx?Page_ID=68, 2016)
(Rehman, 2016) (APP, 2016)
CHINA ON KASHMIR ISSUE:
Kashmir has vital importance for Pakistan. Its unresolved status and continued occupation by Indian forces are the root cause of conflict in South Asia. Its strategic location makes Kashmir an important part of Pakistan’s foreign policy. In the initial phase of the conflict, China took a non-partisan stance on the issue as it followed a policy of Afro-Asian unity. Since both the contenders, i.e. Pakistan and India, were Asian states and neighbours, Beijing emphasized the need for a bilateral solution of the problem and advised both countries to avoid UN and Western Involvement. It maintained this policy even when Pakistan joined the Western defence pacts. As a result of the improvement in Sino Pakistan relations. Chin shifted its stance on Kashmir and voiced support for the right of self-determination of the Kashmir people. The Sino-Pakistan Border Agreement was the first occasion where China raised its deep concern at the unresolved status of the Kashmir problem.
GWADAR PORT:
Gwadar port has an extremely noteworthy part for Pakistan as well as for the entire region. Pakistan's special topography and geo political calculates the locale have made it one of kind opportunity for Pakistan. Strong committed steps taken by Chinese and Pakistani government with solid strides on ground, developing enthusiasm by Gulf countries and Investors around the world are markers of the splendid eventual fate of Gwadar. Interest in any Project in E.P.Zone Gwadar is a venture with a 20 years Tax Holiday offices and dependable, rumored organization focused on incredibleness and certainty and in an area which is as of now center of the world. Due to interesting geology, Gwadar for all intents and purposes benefits all countries in the locale. In today's undeniably associated world it would not be right that by implication it benefits the entire world. In any case, a portion of the important countries straightforwardly profited by Gwadar next to Pakistan and China are as follow:
a. Tajikistan. A land locked country that will get access to international waters for its Oil and Gas exports and other imports.
b. Uzbekistan. Again a land locked country, greatly benefited by Gwadar.
c. Turkmenistan. Land locked country.
d. Afghanistan. Afghanistan has been verifiably reliant upon Pakistan for its ocean courses. Exhibit remaking endeavors require increasingly materials, however the current port offices effectively under weights from Pakistan's needs think that its hard to oversee. Additionally, through Gwadar the entrance to global waters would be further diminished to awesome preferred standpoint of Afghan recreation.
BARRIERS IN THE ROAD OF SUCCESS:
The great planned advantages that the CPEC can convey to Pakistan are unexpected to its genuine usage which faces genuine snags. A standout amongst the most evident is security circumstance of the nation that represents a greater test in spite of the enhancements on that front amid the previous two years.
The well-known pro-independence Baloch leaders have denounced the negative impact they believe the CPEC will have in Balochistan and some have even warned Chin to stay away from Gwadar. Beijing’s concerns on this issue made the Pakistani authorities announce, during Xi Jinping’s visit to Islamabad in April 2015, the creation of a 12,000 strong force devoted to protecting Chinese interests and nationals in Pakistan.
This new Special Security Division is funded by Pakistan, although certain well-informed sources have suggested that China will provide some equipment. Moreover, Rs 45 billion is expected to be spent in fiscal year 2016 on raising the security unit and on Operation Zarb-e-Azb. This is a key issue since Beijing has become more sensitive over the past years to attacks against Chinese nationals on foreign soil.
Security of the CPEC is likewise nearly interlinked with provincial geopolitics, especially with India's position on the activity and on the adjustment of Afghanistan. In India, many voices have raised worries about the CPEC, and even the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, reprimanded the venture as unacceptable amid his visit to Beijing in June 2015.9 Indian reservations are basically identified with certain CPEC transport ventures crossing Gilgit-Baltistan, part of the questioned domain of Jammu and Kashmir, and the ramifications of China's simpler access to the Indian Ocean and how they may influence India's security and vital setting.
Various quarters in Pakistan believe that these misgivings have even led to cooperation between Indian security agencies and Pakistani militants, especially following the arrest in Balochistan in March 2016 of an alleged officer of the Research and Analysis Wing.
This is not to deny that the CPEC can offer opportunities for India to enhance its relations with Pakistan since the passage could encourage Indian access to Central Asia.In different words, the CPEC can likewise add to enhance provincial network and security. The potential commitment of the CPEC to territorial steadiness is more apparent, at present, as to Afghanistan. Peace in Afghanistan is a key component for the accomplishment of the CPEC and the decrease of global support for the East Turkestan Independent Movement activists. These are the principle reasons of Chinese choice to take part in a joint exertion with the legislatures of the US, Pakistan and Afghanistan to restore the Afghan peace handle.
(News, 2016)
(joshi, 2015)
(observer, 2009)
(Gishkori, 2015)
INDIAN PROPOGANDA:
Chinese researchers are "profoundly irritated" by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's late reference to Balochistan, a senior master today said as he cautioned of joint strides by China and Pakistan if an "Indian element" upsets the $46 billion CPECBSE - 4.45 %, with the locale as its center.
My own view is that if India is inflexible and if Indian variable is found by China or Pakistan in upsetting the procedure of CPEC, if that turns into a reality, it will truly turn into an unsettling influence to China-India relations, India-Pakistan relations, Hu Shisheng told the economic times. He also said that on the off chance that if it happens China and Pakistan could have no other way yet make joined strides. I need to state that the Pakistan element could surge again to end up the most exasperating component in China-India relations, significantly more than the Tibet, fringe and exchange border and trade imbalance issues.
Modi's first Balochistan reference, coming days after two fear based oppressors assaults on Quetta doctor's facilities were soundly faulted for India's RAW insight organization, won't not have been invited by the general population of Balochistan however certain maverick aggressors and activists appreciated his worry.
Bramdagh Bugti, grandson of Akbar Bugti, said thanks to Modi as well as trusted Narendra Modi would raise this issue at worldwide discussions. He kept up: "It is past the point of no return; we can't stay with Pakistan any more drawn out as it has denied us of fundamental rights."
Mama Qadeer, another rebel Baloch, told the German Radio, "India supports our cause and the Baloch individuals welcome it. Islamabad takes it as Indian obstruction. They pointed the finger at India's RAW for the Quetta assault. They jump at the chance to accuse everything for RAW. The powers even call me a RAW agent."
None of the messages from India or its affirmed intermediaries in Balochistan were diagonal.
Delhi's affectability and industrious inability to incorporate Jammu and Kashmir in its alliance has achieved an epic level. Not just are the unforgiving laws there to remain in Kashmir yet BJP-drove coalition in the middle is additionally going hard and fast to temper with the state's uncommon status.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/53900279.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst
http://tribune.com.pk/story/1166455/modi-spoke-indias-mind-cpec/
EXPERTS ON CPEC:
Ahmed Zulfiqar Siddiqui, a senior executive at China Power, says these projects will help alleviate the country’s chronic energy crisis that cost the nation 7 percent of its annual GDP last year.
“Unfortunately, the CPEC is a well-guarded secret and with little information that is available, it is not possible to separate myth from reality,” Dr Ather Maqsood, HoD Economics Department, NUST, said this while addressing a two-day national conference on ‘CPEC:
Dr Ashfaque Hassan Khan, Principal and Dean School of Economics, NUST, Islamabad, said that the CPEC may change the face of Pakistan’s economy, if all goes well. Today, half a million tonnes cargo is being handled via Gwadar. Next year, it is expected to reach a million. However, when the port becomes fully functional, it will have the capacity to handle 300 to 400 million tonnes of cargo. The entire capacity of Indian ports is 500 million tonnes per year while the biggest US port has the annual capacity of 80 million tonnes.
He said that the CPEC is really a great opportunity for Pakistan but only the claim that it is a game changer will not make it so. ”The government should find out what is required to make it a game changer,” he added. What the government is waiting for why are it is not sharing information with anyone, he said. “I don’t think that the department in charge of the CPEC is ready or interested in the execution of such a huge project and the seriousness can be gauged from their presence in such an informative session,” Ashfaq said.
Former minister for finance and Chairman Pakistan-China Centre for Economic Cooperation, Lahore Dr Salman Shah outlined how the CPEC and economic integration with China will produce a two-tier private sector in Pakistan. On one side, the great companies oriented to the export market, with access to Chinese financing and partnerships, will greatly benefit.
Dr Mujahid Kamran, Vice Chancellor, Punjab University, Lahore, said that Pakistan’s strategic location and its great mineral resources give it an edge in the region. However, he warned while the CPEC is an opportunity, it is also a challenge for Pakistan since it requires economic and governance reforms, along with massive investment in trained and educated manpower. With the number of Ph.Ds on the rise, the latter situation has seen much improvement but the government needs to allocate more funds towards Research and Development (R&D).
Ambassador Inamul Haq, former foreign minister, as chair summed up the cumulative advantages of the CPEC to China and Pakistan. He said that Punjab government was very secretive about the orange line train project and they even disclosed about it in the court. Dr Ather Maqsood Ahmed, HoD Economics Department, National University of Science and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, reviewing the economic dividends of the CPEC for Pakistan outlined its importance for the agriculture, industrial and services sector.
He highlighted that while agricultural development of China and Pakistan will take place on the principle of comparative advantage and mutual benefit, achieving the objectives of the 17 agriculture-centric projects was dependent on how quickly counterpart experts in specific areas were assigned; public-private partnership developed; and federal and provincial governments aligned. “The demonstration projects alone, unless replicated, are not expected to raise agricultural growth in any substantial way,” he argued.
Taken from: http://nation.com.pk/
CONCLUSION:
In my opinion, pak-china relation is beneficial not only to Pakistan and china but also to other countries which are landlocked to connect with the outer world more easily and of less cost. India’s interference in CPEC may affect the peace in the whole region. Many projects have been set up in Balochistan province may not give a quick result but will be beneficial to the province itself as well as to the whole country.
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