Strengthening Geo-strategic Bond of Pakistan and China Through Geo-economic Configuration

• Author: UMBREEN JAVAID AND RAMEESHA JAVAID

Abstract

An intimate relationship between Pakistan and China is not a novel phenomenon. For decades, they have been 'all-weather' friends - both countries enjoy enduring and deep-rooted ties. Initially, China and Pakistan were involved in a geo-strategic context, but since the end of the Cold War, their relations have increasingly become multidimensional. China emerged as an economic regional power, and over the years has been successful in generating her own sphere of influence by developing a huge export capacity along with a robust market. Pakistan had her own way with a long history of rivalry with India and then fighting the war against terror that dragged her into destitute economic conditions.

India's increasing interest and influence in the region and her growing cooperation with the US alarmed both Pakistan and China. Reciprocating, Pakistan and China agreed to build a "One Belt One Road" project; also known as the China Pakistan Economic Corridor. This study helps in analyzing the addition of the geo-economic aspect in the geo-strategic Sino-Pak relationship with reference to the China Pakistan Economic Corridor in the transitioning geo-political scenario.

Keywords: China, Geo-economic, Pakistan, Geo-strategic, National interest, Economic development

1. BACKGROUND

   The twenty first century has seen a paradigm shift from strategic alliance to the establishment of economic cooperation between countries around the world - the national interest and security of the state being the determinants of this cooperation. States redefine their interests and reshape their policies owing to the realization that it does not seem possible for them to preserve their welfares with their existing capacities (Abid and Ashfaq, 2015). Apex- level talks and diplomatic consultations are traits of a robust partnership between nations in a variety of fields, such as industrial ventures, development programmes, defense, infrastructure and other areas of cooperation (Noor et al., 2008).

   For decades, China was deemed as a 'sleeping giant' that has awakened and now playing a key role not merely in South Asia but in the entire world. President Xi Jinping's predecessor Xiaoping followed a conservative foreign policy based on "hide your strength, bide your time, never take the lead", however the current premier, President Xi, calls for a more vigorous, activist and assertive foreign policy, and dreams of a "strong and powerful" Chinese state.

   The Peoples Republic of China (PRC) and Pakistan's relations date back to 1950 - very soon after the creation of the PRC. The long history of camaraderie between the two is underlined by mutual trust and assurance. Mao Zedong, the Chairman of the Chinese Communist Party announced that the PRC was ready to establish diplomatic ties "with any foreign government willing to observe the principle of equality, mutual benefit and mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity" (Mahdi, 1986). Pakistan, in 1950, responded to his call by recognizing the PRC.

   In 1954, Chinese Premier Chou En-Lai made a statement that summed up one consistent aspect of the Chinese foreign policy by stating that ".... all people should have the right to choose their own state system and way of life without interference from other nations .... revolution cannot be exported" (Mahdi, 1986). In spite of believing in an absolutely opposing ideology, Pakistan accepted the Chinese notion at first, thus, rendering it possible for two states with different socio-political systems to establish durable ties. Secondly, Pakistan was convinced that the PRC harbored no designs of territorial aggrandizement against her neighbors. Thirdly, Pakistan concurred with the Chinese that there was no actual 'conflict of interests' between the two. Therefore, Sino-Pak relations were founded on a very cordial footing.

   Maintaining a wholesome connection with China has been a vital feature of Pakistan's foreign policy. Pakistan helped China in sustaining the balance of power in the region (Iqbal, 2015). The Chinese President, Hu Jintao (2003) explained China's "Good Neighbor Policy as part of a strategy of peaceful development which China sought to promote as an interdependent, rather than competitive, relationship with her neighboring countries and the world" (Iqbal, 2015). In 1966, armed assistance between China and Pakistan began, in 1972, strategic partnership was developed and in 1979, economic collaboration commenced. The relationship is said to be 'higher than the mountains' and 'deeper than the oceans'. Following are a few key events in Pakistan and China relationship.

   In September 1950, Pakistan voted in favour of a resolution challenging the right of the Nationalist Chinese representation in the United Nations, and asked for the seating of the true representative of the Beijing government. Pakistan also supported the 'One China Policy' and in 1951, trade relations between the two were firmly established.

   In 1954 and 1955, Pakistan joined SEATO and CENTO respectively due to her search of security against India (Syed, 1974). These pacts were initiated as a cordon solitaire to contain the Soviet Union and China. Meanwhile from mid fifties to early sixties, Sino-Pak ties were somewhat dented. The decade of the sixties eventually saw a consolidation of the Sino- Pak friendship. In 1961, Pakistan viewed her role as an ally of the West, and renewed her links with China as well. Pakistan again voted for China's seating in the United Nations.

   The Peoples Republic of China also offered military, technical and economic assistance to Pakistan. China has been a sturdy supplier of military apparatus to Pakistan since 1962, along with establishing ammunition factories and providing technical support. During and after the Sino-Indian border conflict of 1962, vast quantities of weapons began to pour in India from the US, radically upsetting the power balance in the region. Washington insisted that the arms were intended to hold the line against China, Pakistan, however, had no assurance that these arms would not be used against her. Beijing taking cognizance of Pakistan's policy shift, in 1961, announced her willingness to resolve the Sino-Pak boundary conflict.

   Both the countries formally agreed to locate and align their common border and in 1963, a border agreement was concluded. In 1963, Pakistan and China entered into an agreement granting each other the most favoured nation status in trading and shipping, thus, furthering their trade relations. In 1963, due to Pakistan's changing perceptions and developments in Pak-China friendship, Washington postponed a $ 4.3 million fund to Islamabad.

   Later that year, the US Under-Secretary of State, George Ball visited Pakistan and tried to convince President Ayub that China was a real threat to the subcontinent and that India and Pakistan needed to cooperate on matters of defence and that the Pak-China friendship also violated the spirit of the Pak-American alliance, but President Ayub did not agree. During the same year, China for the first time abandoned her neutral position on the Kashmir issue and endorsed Pakistan's stand for a plebiscite. In February 1964, Chou and Ayub issued a joint statement and expressed the hope that the Kashmir problem would be determined "in accordance with the wishes of the people of Kashmir as pledged to them by India and Pakistan" (Butt, n.d). Post the Tashkent Agreement, Pakistan rejected the Brezhnev Doctrine because it was directed against China's interests.

   Later in 1964, China gave a $ 60 million interest-free loan to Pakistan. During the Rann of Kutch dispute and the 1965 Indo-Pak war, China supported Pakistan's position against India and provided her with military equipment during the war when the US had cut off supplies of weapons - the main source of weapons for Pakistan. On the other hand, India continued to receive weapons from the Soviet Union. Later in 1966, Pakistan and China made an agreement to develop a heavy machinery complex at Taxila.

   The 1970s brought in marked contrast to the 1960s given the...