Naseebullah Achakzai
The relationship between Pakistan and China is based on trust, respect and mutual cooperation. It has been described higher than mountains, sweeter than Honey and deeper than the Ocean. The ties have been growing since 1950 when Pakistan became the first Muslim state to recognize China. Time and again, both states have been supporting each other not only on International forums but also in economic and military fields. China has been a staunch supporter of Pakistani stance on the issue of Kashmir. It has always supported Pakistan in United Nation Security Council (UNSC) regarding Kashmir and has demanded the solution of Kashmir according to the wishes of the people of Kashmir and UN resolutions. More, china has condemned Indian aggression and brutalities on Kashmiris and has reprobated the annexation of Kashmir. Furthermore, China has vetoed every step to put Pakistan in the FATF blacklist. Apart from this, China was the first state who opposed Bangladesh membership in the UNO until Bangladesh released Pakistani prisoners. n the flip side, Pakistan supports one_China policy and the stance of China on the South China Sea. In addition, Pakistan played a major role and diplomacy in 1970 during the visit of American President Richard Nixon to china which further halted the worsen diplomatic relations between China and America. Security has always been an issue for both countries due to the warmonger attitude of India. Sino India war of 1962 and India_ Pakistan war of 1965 changed the strategic outlook of Pakistan and China. Resultantly, both countries helped each other in conventional and unconventional warfare. It is no secret that China is fulfilling the military needs of Pakistan for its deterrence. China has been providing ample military equipment and has provided a real leg up to Pakistan in establishing modern ammunition factories. It was china who provided JF_17 multirole jet aircraft, Khalid Tanks, development of Babur Cruise missile, provision of AWACS system, and collaboration in space technology. Presently, it has provided new technological war Tank VT_4 battle tank. Though the mutual collaboration between Pakistan and China in the military sector is remarkable, their conjunct economic cooperation is also admirable. After the incipience of China; both states granted MFN status to each other. Then, in 1963, a trade agreement between both countries was signed for the elevation of trade. Later on, the economic affinity was further deep_rooted when, in 1982, both countries established a joint economic committee for the enhancement of economic ties. Then in 2006, the FTA was signed for the promotion of trade. The peak of the friendly relations touched the zenith of glory in 2015 when president Xi and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif signed the CPEC, which can be stigmatized as the crown jewel in the relations between Pakistan and China. This 64 billion US dollars project of projects will help in both the nations in economic progress. At one hand, it will furtherance China in enhancing its trade relations with the rest of the world. On the other side, Pakistan’s economy is expected to be retrieved from fragility. It could help the economic recovery of Pakistan and will provide a tremendous opportunity for the revival of its industry. Apart from this, because of CPEC, Pakistan energy sector and infrastructure development will be huge beneficiaries. Beijing and Islamabad are facing serious challenges in their mutual relations. The Indian American nexus is the most disastrous one. India is trying its best to sabotage CPEC and halt the economic progress of Pakistan and China by interfering in Pakistan. While the American policy ‘Pivot to Asia’ the main target is China, which will definitely have implications for Pakistan too. What is needed is that pragmatic policies should be adopted by both Pakistan and China (Particularly for CPEC) so that to encounter Indian and American notorious designs of encirclement of China and Pakistan.
(-The writer is Freelance Columnist, M.phil political science. )
