Beijing:
China is anticipating an even greater role for Pakistan in international and regional affairs and is ready to help Islamabad achieve that goal, said a senior Chinese official, since both countries renewed their commitment to security and economic cooperation following the dynamics of changing power in southern Asia.
Chen Wei, advisor to the Department of Asian Affairs of the China Ministry of Foreign Affairs told a visiting Pakistani delegation in Beijing that China would be firmly with Pakistan to safeguard its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity and support its efforts to play a larger and greater role in regional and global issues.
The renewed emphasis on strategic ties follows a dramatic turn earlier this year when India launched a military operation against Pakistan in May. The offensive, which according to analysts have altered the security order of the region, ended with Pakistan repelting the assault using Chinese manufacturing missiles and combat planes. At least six Indian airplanes, including Rafale airplanes, were destroyed in the confrontation.
Wei said that China’s position during the conflict reflected the nature of the association. “As a good neighbor, friend and partner, we will continue to support Pakistan to maintain stability and prosperity in southern Asia,” he said, added that Beijing encourages both Pakistan and India to seek dialogue to avoid greater confrontation.
While security ties remain at the forefront, both parties are also moving to consolidate economic cooperation. Wei pointed out the second phase of the Chinese-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as a “high quality development stage”, with a special approach in Punjab, where many of the first projects of the corridor were completed. “Punjab has advantages of governance and safety, and we are ready to deepen cooperation there and also in the rest of Pakistan for higher quality CPEC projects,” he said.
Chinese officials emphasized that development and security reinforce each other, and urged Pakistan to intensify the protection of Chinese personnel and companies working on projects. “Many Chinese want to invest in Pakistan, even in Punjab and Baluchistan, but security is still their greatest concern,” Wei told the delegation. “We always encourage our people to invest in Pakistan, and we will continue this support if a safe environment is guaranteed.”
Beyond bilateral ties, China is pressing to integrate more regional actors in Cooperative Marcos, at a time when the Association of South Asia for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) has stagnated to a large extent. Wei said Beijing recently organized a tri-national meeting with Pakistan and Bangladesh, and is encouraging Nepal, Sri Lanka and the Maldives to participate in future initiatives.
