Expert terms PM Khan’s China visit a big diplomatic success

BRAVO Imran Khan did it.Amidst opposition and boycott of USA, you showed the world and particularly the sole superpower that we will take our foreign policy decisions ourselves and will not take any dictation and will pursue a policy, best suited to our regional and international interests.

Prime Minister Imran Khan paid a three-day visit to China last week to attend the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics in Beijing.

The United States and several Western nations have boycotted the Games.Imran Khan’s participation in the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics was an important step towards further strengthening ties between Islamabad and Beijing.

This visit was important from Pakistan’s point of view as during this visit various important regional issues were not only discussed directly with the Chinese leadership but Pakistan received unequivocal support from a trusted friend on Kashmir and other issues.

Though Pakistan and China have very close relations but at the same time Pakistan wants to maintain better diplomatic and economic relations with the United States also, despite the fact that Pakistan does not agree with the US policy towards China and ongoing tension between the two countries.

Pakistan does not see China as an alternate to the United States but because of Pakistan’s internal economic needs and the changing situation in the region, Pakistan needs China.

They have made big investment of over $60 billion in CPEC under their BRI initiative and CPEC is their flagship project.

There is an impression that some projects under CPEC are slowing down and this issue was discussed during the visit of Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Many analysts say that though some of the proposed important and urgent projects under CPEC, including the Karachi-Peshawar railway line project, have yet to make practical progress, the infrastructure and many energy projects have been completed.

Pakistan is seeking Chinese investment in the industries of textiles, footwear, pharmaceuticals, furniture, agriculture, automobile and information technology.

PM told major Chinese companies that it could provide access to trade routes to the Middle East, Africa and the rest of the world to them and offering greater incentives in the shape of reduction in freight costs.

Prime Minister’s visit to China came at a time when the relations between US and Pakistan are rather cold and lack the traditional warmth between once — friendly countries.

Pakistan’s ties with the United States were somewhat strained during the 1990s, but the country again became Washington’s ally in the “war on terror” after the September 11, 2001, attacks.

However, following the US pullout from Afghanistan, Pakistan is now looking to the East for strategic alliances.

China, which now enjoys the status of a major economic power in Asia, has found a reliable and trust-worthy friend in Pakistan and invested billions of dollars to help stabilize Pakistan’s shaky economy.

Pakistan is heavily dependent on China because the West did not turn out to be a reliable ally, abandoning Islamabad and instead cozying up to New Delhi, a common foe of both Pakistan and China.

While loans from the International Monetary Fund came with strings attached, China didn’t put conditions on its loans.

It has already pumped billions of dollars into the CPEC but did not attach strings.

Pakistan has reciprocated by granting China access to the Indian Ocean and supporting the country at international forums.

The US has no interest in the region after pulling out from Afghanistan.As a result, Pakistan will need China’s assistance to bolster its economy, stabilize Afghanistan, promote trade in the region and consolidate its defenses.

President Xi assured Prime Minister Imran Khan that “China upholds fairness and justice in international affairs and is willing to strengthen the coordination and cooperation with Pakistan in multilateral venues such as the UN and promote justice and world and regional peace,”.

In an interview with China Global Television Network, PM Imran Khan said “Pakistan and China enjoy a “very special relationship” spanning over 70 years and nothing could change these time-tested ties.

Talking about the evolving regional rivalry between the US and China, Khan said that “Pakistan thinks it is very unfair for the US or other powers — western powers” to pressurise “countries like us to take sides” in a conflict with China.

“Why should we take sides?We should have good relations with everyone.It is not going to happen if pressure is put on Pakistan to change its relationship or downgrade its relationship with China, it wouldn’t happen,” Khan said.

This is a very bold statement and reflects the nature and level of friendship between Pakistan and China and also at the same time a rebuff to the imperialistic and colonial thinking and set of mind, the western powers have.

He went on to say that, “In good times, everyone stands with you but in your difficult, tough times, bad times, you remember those who stood by you.

That’s why you will find that in Pakistan, people always have a special fondness for people in China,” he said.

Imran Khan also referred to the QUAD or Quadrilateral alliance consisting of the US, India, Japan and Australia which has been formed against China.

After Imran Khan and Xi Jinping meeting in the backdrop of Beijing Winter Olympic games, China declared that it opposes any “unilateral actions” in Kashmir and pledged to go ahead with CPEC, which cuts through Kashmir.

In a joint statement issued after Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan held talks with the top Chinese leadership, including President Xi Jinping, in Beijing, China said the Kashmir issue was a historic dispute and should be resolved properly and peacefully.

This is a big diplomatic win for Pakistan.China has once again demonstrated that it stands with Pakistan in all situations — good or bad as mentioned by PM Imran Khan while on visit to that great country. No doubt China has proved to be an all-weather friend.