Beijing:
China provides an even greater role for Pakistan in international and regional affairs and is ready to help Islamabad to achieve this objective, said a senior Chinese official, because the two countries have renewed their commitment to security and economic cooperation in the wake of the dynamics of changing power in South Asia.
Chen Wei, adviser to the Asian Affairs Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in China, told a Pakistani delegation visiting Beijing that China would be held firmly with Pakistan to protect its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity and support its efforts to play a more important role in regional and global affairs.
The accent renewed on strategic links follows a dramatic turning point earlier this year when India launched a military operation against Pakistan in May. The offensive, which, according to analysts, has changed the region’s security order, ended with Pakistan by pushing the assault using Chinese manufacturing missiles and hunting jets. At least six Indian planes, including Rafale Jets, were destroyed in the confrontation.
Wei said that China’s position during the conflict reflected the nature of the partnership. “As a good neighbor, friend and partner, we will continue to support Pakistan to maintain stability and prosperity in South Asia,” he noted, adding that Beijing encourages Pakistan and India to continue dialogue to avoid a new confrontation.
While security ties remain at the forefront, the two parties are also moving to consolidate economic cooperation. Wei underlined the second phase of the Chinese-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as “high-quality development stadium”, with a particular accent on Punjab, where many projects in the first projects in the corridor were completed. “Punjab has advantages of governance and security, and we are ready to deepen cooperation there and also in the rest of Pakistan for better quality CPEC projects,” he said.
Chinese officials have stressed that development and security are strengthening each other and urged Pakistan to intensify the protection of Chinese personnel and companies working on projects. “Many Chinese want to invest in Pakistan, including Punjab and Balutchistan, but security remains their greatest concern,” wei told the delegation. “We always encourage our employees to invest in Pakistan, and we will continue this support if a safe environment is assured.”
Beyond bilateral links, China pushes to integrate more regional players in cooperative executives, at a time when the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) has largely blocked. Wei said Beijing recently organized a tri-national meeting with Pakistan and Bangladesh, and encourages Nepal, Sri Lanka and the Maldives to participate in future initiatives.
