On June 7, 2024, Prime Minister Shehbaz had an in-depth meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in the historical Great Hall of China at Beijing. Pakistani Army Chief, General AsimMunir was also present during this meeting. The primary focus of this meeting was the bilateral relationship between Pakistan and China. Nevertheless, meeting of the two leaders also discussed regional and global issues that affect both countries, owing to their long-term and deep-rooted relations. Indeed, both countries share similar concerns on most of the regional and global issues. Besides, many economic, strategic and political issues, President Xi Jinpingand Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, discussed progressed on China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). This strategic project has missed its timeframe, mainly owing to economic crises of Pakistan. As agreed in the meeting, Phase-II of the project would be completed soon besides completing all the economic projects linked with CPEC. President Xi Jinpingappreciated the historical friendship of two nations and hopes to continue this with same spirit in the future too. Security of the Chinese citizens working on various projects in Pakistan was discussed in the meeting and Pakistani Prime Minister reiterated that, Pakistan is commitment to ensure safety and security of Chinese national on Pakistani soil.Preident Xi and Premier Sharif also discussed the new developments in the region and at global level.
Pakistan and China are historical relationship ever since the establishment of People’s Republic of China in 1949. Pakistan was the first Islamic country, second Commonwealth and third non-Communist state that recognize the newly established People’s Republic of China on January 4, 1950. Diplomatic relationships were establishedbetween both countries in 1951. Pakistan’s staunch support for the restoration of China’s seat at UNSC as a permanent member in 1961, the signing of the Boundary Agreement in 1963, and Pakistan’s role as facilitator in bringing about a rapprochement between China and United States in the early 1970sare all milestones that marked the history of bilateral ties.Cooperation between two countries is in multiple fields;political, economic, defence and nuclear, technological, infrastructural, educational, energy projects and strategic communication arenas.
Development of Gwadar Port and China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) further cemented the bilateral relationship between both friendly states. Both traditional neighbours have common geo-political interests, common geo-strategic concerns, and a common vision for the future of the regional peace, stability and economic prosperity, strengthening through bilateral cooperation. Pakistan continues to maintain unwavering support for the core Chinese concerns of Taiwan, Tibet, and South China Sea. On its part, Chinahas always extended its overt support to Pakistan on sovereignty, socio-economic developmentand contributions against terrorism. China has maintained a constant view on the disputed nature of the state of Jammu and Kashmir. It always supports Pakistani view on Kashmir and rejects Indian occupation of a major port Jammu and Kashmir state.
A former Chinese Ambassador, Liu Jian has once said that, ties between China and have “gone beyond bilateral dimensions and acquired broader regional and international ramifications.” As cooperation between the two countries has deepened, expanding and evolving in accordance with the dictates of new geo-political, geo-strategic and geo-economic realities, certain states have sounded alarm bells. The concerns voiced by these countries stem from a skewed perception of the political compulsions and strategic interests of both China and Pakistan. Moreover, these perceptions and the responses they generate are also conditioned by facts such as Pakistan’s geographical location, the prevailing security environment in the region, and prospective interests of new allies in the region.
By virtue of its physical location, Pakistan is considered as the geographical pivot of history. Traditionally this piece of land has been used as a linkage between Central, West, South, and East Asia and ties the surrounding regions into a web while acting as the hub. It provides a natural link between the SCO states to connect the Eurasian heartland with the Arabian Sea and South Asia and offers the shortest overland route to facilitate intra- and inter-regional trade and energy exchanges. With the increase in the means of communication and diversification of the transportation routes, it is impossible for the surrounding countries and interested actors to ignore Pakistan. Gwadar and CPEC have further boosted the geopolitical significance of Pakistan for all regional countries.
Pakistan is ideally suited to cater for the energy needs of the surrounding states. It lies in close proximity to the hydrocarbon rich Central Asian Republics (CARs) and the oil rich Middle Eastern countries. Not only does it act as the quickest overland route for the transfer of hydrocarbon resources to China but also provides China with the shortest natural pathway to the warm waters; the Arabian Sea and to the strategic shipping lanes through which Gulf oil is shipped all over the world. The project of CPEC will further supplementthese traditional bonds.
Over the years, the traditional friendship of China and Pakistan has reached to new heights and the friendship gets deeper and stronger. Indeed, the Sino-Pak relationship has a unique distinction that, despite many ups and down at regional level and global arena, there has been consistency and betterment in the bilateral relationship of both countries without a single fissure noted ever. President Xi Jinping restated that, “China stands ready to work with Pakistan to firmly support each other, strengthen cooperation, deepen strategic coordination, accelerate the building of an even closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era, and make greater contributions to regional peace, stability, development and prosperity”. Pakistan is optimistic to work with China in all fields for further strengthening bilateral relationship of both traditional friends and especially for the economic development of Pakistan.
The writer is Professor of Politics and IR at International Islamic University, Islamabad.
