China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Phase-II has been initiated in the country in which the Chinese companies are not only helping Pakistan overcome its infrastructure problems but also investing in social development, skills and environmental protection in Pakistan. The Chinese companies not only helped create thousands of jobs but also invested in building the capacity of hundreds of engineers and staff members.
Most recently the Chinese Third Meeting of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People’s Congress promulgated the new foreign relations law, empowering its political leadership and policy makers to mitigate emerging socio-economic, geopolitical and geostrategic spillover repercussions of the US and the West integrated and coordinated coercive measures against China. Thus it is a legal necessity to take all possible necessary countermeasures against these unjust sanctions and administrative actions being faced by its macro-economy, multinational companies and people alike. It lays the groundwork for further strengthening the longstanding friendship and strategic cooperation between China and Pakistan.
It is indeed a giant step towards promoting the rule of law domestically and in foreign affairs comprehensively and to strengthen legislation in the field of foreign affairs. It shows China’s strong commitment to build a new model of international relations through following the UN core laws and basic charter and promote the spirit of mutual respect, equality and dignity for all nations. It is a legal cover/shield opposing designs of hegemony and imperialism in the world.
Moreover, the enforcement of this new law holds immense significance for Pakistan and China as it provides a comprehensive solid legal framework to further enhance bilateral relations, promote mutual interests and foster regional stability. This law offers a comprehensive future outlook on China-Pakistan relations, highlighting its potential to bolster cooperation in various fields and propel the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership to new heights. Therefore it would further expedite the speed and pace of the CPEC Phase-II in the country.
The world has become further complex and complicated and its canvass has also been blurred and bullied. The changing parameters of peace, progress, prosperity, cooperation and win-win propositions need drastic changes in the existing law of foreign affairs and the Chinese new foreign law is approved and implemented to streamline and systemize these modalities to safeguard its vested interests. The essence of this law is humanity and harmonious approach which should be jointly protected and promoted.
Unfortunately, the junta of hegemonic forces and activities of bullying against the weak through their conspiratorial schemes and obsessions of playing zero-sum games have already de-shaped spheres of cooperation in the world. The widening trust deficits in global peace, development, security and governance have worsened and human society is facing unprecedented challenges which should be rectified with rule of law in the world. Therefore, China’s new foreign law is a right step in the right direction.
Obviously, both countries have mutual interest in regional stability, development, socio-economic prosperity and greater regional connectivity. The law reiterates China’s commitment to upholding the One-China principle, recognizing Pakistan’s unwavering support for China’s core interests and territorial integrity. This mutual understanding and respect serve as the bedrock for deepening cooperation and fostering trust between the two countries which would further enhance the activities of CPEC Phase-II in the country.
It inevitably provides a strong guarantee for the rule of law to promote the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation with the Chinese path to modernization. It is the first step towards plugging in flaws in the existing laws.
Unfortunately, China has been confronting with frequent interference in its domestic affairs, unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction by certain western hegemonic countries using legal means which encourages China to establish a comprehensive defence system and effective blocking mechanism through the shield of the rule of law in foreign affairs.
Hopefully the new law will safeguard its national sovereignty, security, and development vested interests and remove all barriers, capacity building deficiencies and insufficient institutional supply through newly promulgated and implemented new foreign law.
Additionally, it is a complete overhaul of the existing laws through new principles, balance/allocation of power, objectives, tasks, systems and guarantees for the development of foreign relations. Hopefully it will provide strong legal guarantees for the comprehensive promotion of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation with Chinese characteristics.
It stands for just international law and global order. It will further enhance China’s role in global governance. It will showcase distinctive Chinese characteristics of shared community development, peace, harmony, stability, bio-diversity, climate change and global development initiative, global security initiative and global civilizational initiatives at international stage. In summary, the newly promulgated and implemented Foreign Relations Law will introduce more legislation in the field of foreign affairs in the future, and further enhance China’s ability to defend national and people’s interests through the rule of law will continue to improve.
The CPEC, a flagship project under the BRI, has already brought substantial benefits to various sectors of the economy, boosting infrastructure development, energy cooperation and trade facilitation. Hopefully, the new law will be beneficial for the CPEC Phase-II finalizing more attractive mutually agreed proposals/projects, attracting more investment, promoting industrial cooperation and accelerating regional connectivity.
It enshrines China’s basic right to impose countermeasures against actions that it deems a threat. It legitimatizes China’s right to take corresponding countermeasures and restrictive measures against acts that violate international law and norms and that endanger China’s sovereignty, security and development interests. It further strengthens its diplomatic struggle against sanctions, anti-intervention and long-arm jurisdiction and enriches the legal toolbox to safeguard national interest.
Last but not the least, it has a human face with a harmonious mind-set and legal shield to legally cope with the western illegal unilateralism, imperialism, hegemonic bloc mentality and exploitative socio-economic measures against China and developing countries alike.
