by Prof. Engr. Zamir Ahmed Awan

 

China and Pakistan, not only share common borders, but also mountains, rivers, and common destiny. In the history of international affairs, China-Pakistan relations are considered a role module. Unlike the common perception in Western World, our relations are not interest oriented, but, pure and based on trust, mutual respect, love, and affection. China and Pakistan both are Eastern countries and share Eastern common values. 

 

China and Pakistan established formal diplomatic relations on 21 May 1951. But the first high-level delegation from the government of Pakistan visited China on 4 January 1950, just after 3 months of the liberation of China. Pakistan was among the few first countries, who recognized “People’s Republic of China”. However, roots of our relations can be traced to more than 2000 years ago, when Chinese ancient monks like “Fa Xian” and “Xuan Zang” traveled to areas, which belongs to Pakistan today. In fact, a major faction of Buddhism is originated from Pakistan. 

 

China-Pakistan relations are termed as “All-Weather Friendship” as we have passed many domestic and international hardships, but are always close friends. Pakistan was a close ally with Western World during Cold War Era and a signatory to many defense agreements with West but still maintaining a very close friendship with China. Pakistan was in frequent political changes, like civil and military rules, various political parties were ruling the country with very different ideologies, but who so ever was in ruling place, always kept close ties with China. Similarly, who so ever is in the leadership role in China, is always a very close friend of Pakistan. 

 

We are “Time-Tested friends”, as at all critical moments we stood side by side, hands in hands, supporting each other. China was passing through a very difficult period in mid-1950 when West has imposed economic blockade around China. Pakistan was protecting China’s interests. China was facing a severe economic crisis during the 1960s and 1970s, but Pakistan was a close friend and supporting 

China. Today, China has emerged as a global power, protecting Pakistan on all critical issues. 

 

In the recent meeting between Prime Minister Imran Khan and President Xi, during the BRF held in Beijing on 25-27 April 2019. An official statement was issued “Reaffirming 'All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership' between Pakistan and China., the two leaders exchanged views on the entire gamut of bilateral relations in a warm and cordial atmosphere. They affirmed the resolve to further strengthen their strategic cooperative partnership in all fields including political, security, economic and trade, and people-to-people exchanges”.

 

Further, “President Xi Jinping reiterated China's unwavering support to Pakistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity and appreciated the government's agenda for socio-economic development and people-centered progress. He affirmed that China-Pakistan ties would continue to acquire greater strength and deepen practical cooperation in the time to come”.

 

China-Pakistan relations have grown in all dimensions, whether it is political, diplomatic, defense, economic or people to people contacts, and major achievements have been witnessed. Especially, after launching of BRI, the economic and social sector has visible progress. Pakistan strongly supports BRI and as one of the major beneficiary of BRI, CPEC is the flagship project. CPEC has been instrumental in the development of infrastructure in Pakistan. Pakistan was an electricity deficient country, but under CPEC, several power projects have been completed and some are at the final stage of completion, which has narrowed down the supply and demand gap of the electricity in the country. Pakistan’s economy has shown 1 or 2 digit growth in GDP since the launch of CPEC.

 

Due to the new environment in the geopolitics, China-Pakistan strategic relations have become more relevant and with be further enhanced in the days to come. China-Pakistan relations are a guarantor of regional “Peace, Stability and Prosperity”. The bond of “Pure-Friendship” between the two nations will further grow to a new height.