Dr Mehmood-ul-Hassan Khan
PAKISTAN and China being “strategic” partners of regional peace, immense socio-economic development, greater connectivity, world class infrastructural development, custodian of food and energy security, artificial intelligence apparatus, innovations and last but not the least, “proponents” of shared prosperity have now interned into a “new” phase of greater political consultation and economic reliability. Most recent visit of Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi to China to hold the second round of the China-Pakistan Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue has further consolidated strategic partnership and introduced new “dimensions” in mutual and befitting relations. With the passage of time and rapidly changing regional as well as world socio-economic developments, geopolitical manoeuvrings and geostrategic compulsions the “outlook” of Pak-China Strategic Partnership has been further “transformed” and “revolutionized”.
Inclusion of geostrategic issues pertaining to national sovereignty and territorial integrity of the two countries (Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, Baluchistan, fight against terrorism, Hong Kong, Ladakh, One China policy, South China Sea dispute, CPEC, BRI, increasing agricultural cooperation, tourism, health especially in times of COVID-19, Indian military obsession and last but not the least, US economic sanctions) has now encouraged both sides to further strengthen their ties. During recent visit to China Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi met with his counterpart, China’s State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and discussed important matters of region, economic cooperation and emerging geopolitical and geostrategic trends. China strongly supported Pakistan’s independent approach and means pertaining to its national development, striving for a better external security environment and playing a more constructive role in international and regional affairs. China firmly supported Pakistan in safeguarding its territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence which vividly reflected Pak-China new alignments mitigating expected repercussions in the region because of increasing military fascination of India and US’s China containment policy. Being prominent regional expert of China, CPEC & BRI I hope that new phase of Pak-China cooperation will be a “balancing act” against Indian hegemonic designs/schemes, economic amalgamation against the US sanctions, political gelling against US-Indian guerrilla war tactics and last but not least social and cultural harmony against all enemies of chaos, uncertainty, destruction and disseminator of propaganda.
According to joint declaration, both countries reviewed bilateral ties, including the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), regional and international issues as well as how to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic, particularly its immense economic fallout. The joint communiqué conveyed a strong message to all regional countries and of course international power brokers that China-Pakistan strategic friendship incomparable. It was the height of nonverbal communications which disseminated Pakistan’s strong resolve and persuasions towards China despite displeasure of many Arab countries and of course the US. The joint statement suggested that Pakistan was not ready to compromise on Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and would continue to pursue its flagship program CPEC irrespective of the pressure being exerted by certain international players.
The two sides resolved that CPEC has entered the new phase of high-quality development, and has played and will continue to play an important role in supporting Pakistan to overcome the impact of Covid-19 and achieve greater development. Both sides appreciated strategic importance and impact of the CPEC in national economy, job generation, revenue, industrialization, diversification of economy, energy generation (hydro-power) and last but not least, agricultural cooperation. The two countries expressed satisfaction on agreements pertaining to mega energy projects and looked forward to convening the 10th JCC meeting at the earliest possible date to promote CPEC to make positive contributions to high-quality construction of the BRI.
Both sides reassured the principle of meaningful and constant consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits in building CPEC, and welcomed the international community to join in the CPEC construction on the basis of consensus to achieve shared development. During the meeting, both Foreign Ministers also discussed the regional security situation, including Kashmir. They underlined that a peaceful, stable, cooperative and prosperous South Asia was in the common interest of all parties. “Parties need to settle disputes and issues in the region through dialogue on the basis of equality and mutual respect” the joint statement further added. The Pakistani side briefed the Chinese side on the situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, including its concerns, position and current urgent issues. China termed Kashmir issue an unfinished agenda which should be resolved peacefully and properly through UN Charter, relevant Security Council resolutions and bilateral agreements. China opposed any unilateral actions that complicate the situation. On its part, Foreign Minister Shah valued China for standing together with Pakistan in safeguarding its national security, sovereignty and reaffirmed Islamabad’s firm support to Beijing on affairs concerning China’s core interests and issues of major concern, such as those related to Taiwan, Xinjiang, Tibet and Hong Kong.
Both countries showcased enduring China-Pakistan All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership as beneficial to international and regional peace and stability, and serving the mutual security and development interests of both the countries as well as of international community and regional countries. Pakistan and China showed their firm commitments to implement the consensus reached between the two leaders, enhancing mutual strategic trust, strengthening all-round cooperation, maintaining momentum of high-level exchanges, further advancing construction of the BRI, promoting bilateral relationship to a higher level, and delivering greater benefits to both countries and the two peoples.
Both sides showed satisfaction over cooperation on regional and international issues at multilateral fora such as the UN, Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and ASEAN Regional Forum, and agreed to deepen coordination and cooperation to safeguard mutual interests and uphold principles of fairness and justice. Both the sides reaffirmed their commitment to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and support for multilateralism, free trade and win-win cooperation, and opposition to unilateralism, protectionism and coercive practices.
The two sides decided to further strengthen mutual cooperation on the Afghan issue and appreciated the efforts made by the Afghan government and the Taliban to initiate the intra-Afghan negotiations. They accentuated the importance of an inclusive, broad-based and comprehensive negotiated agreement for future political settlement in Afghanistan. They supported an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process and encouraged relevant parties in Afghanistan to seize this historic opportunity and commence the intra-Afghan negotiations at the earliest leading to durable peace and stability in Afghanistan.
—The writer is Director, Geopolitics/Economics Member Board of Experts, CGSS.
