Pak-China relations, to new heights!

 

Although the evergreen friendship between Islamabad and Beijing is exemplary and the mutual contacts between the two countries always have important and fruitful results, the arrival of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi along with a high-level delegation to participate in the sixth round of Pakistan-China Strategic Dialogue has acquired special significance in the context of the events taking place in the region. According to the Foreign Office spokesperson, the two sides agree that the sustainable strategic partnership between Pakistan and China is of great importance for peace and stability in the region and is indispensable for the prosperity of both countries. 

The joint press conference highlighted the stance of the foreign ministers of both countries that they will work together for the peace and stability of the region. The talks also hinted at the beginning of the second phase of the China-Pakistan Corridor. The most important part of the Chinese Foreign Minister’s speech was the reiteration of President Xi Jinping’s vision that Beijing and Islamabad have a shared future.  Observers are calling the Chinese Foreign Minister’s words of special importance and significance that relations with Pakistan are taking them to new heights. 

The Chinese Foreign Minister says that Islamabad will continue to support Pakistan in its national independence, territorial integrity, sovereignty and anti-terrorism war. The two countries have agreed to continue cooperation in agriculture and mining, while clear indications have been given of raising the standard of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and making progress in this regard. Regarding the meeting of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif along with a high-level delegation, it has been reported that Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir were present in it.  In this high-level meeting, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif's desire to further enhance relations with Beijing in important areas also came to light and it is expected that if Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif goes to Beijing next year on the occasion of the SCO summit, the 75th anniversary of Pak-China friendship will not only be celebrated with enthusiasm but also new aspects and developments in the mutual cooperation between the two countries will be prominent. 

During the meeting at the President House, President Asif Zardari clarified in his conversation that friendship with China is the main pillar of Pakistan's foreign policy.  The timing of the Chinese Foreign Minister’s visit is particularly significant, among other factors, because the basic tasks (such as power and road work) in the first phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) have been largely completed. In other words, the work of building infrastructure and making the Gwadar port operational for trade has reached a stage where it can be fully used to connect Central Asia with the rest of the world. In the second phase of CPEC, projects directly related to the economy and public welfare will be implemented, which will provide employment to a large number of people and help in the development of trade and industry, while Pakistan is also taking steps towards industrial and agricultural revolution. 

In this regard, while it is welcome that more countries are also interested in joining CPEC, in the context of the events of May, there will be a need to make the measures to protect the project, eliminate terrorism and deal with any adversity more effective.