Daily Times

All of Pakistan’s state-owned or private television channels keep playing catchy songs and paid advertisements about Pakistan-China friendship. It goes something like this: Pak-Cheen dosti zindabad, zindabad, zindabad, zindabad. During war and peace, through good times and bad, despite turbulent ups and downs in regional and international relations, Pakistan-China friendship is one shining lamp that has weathered all storms and continues to be an anchor of stability in a world buffeted by headwinds of one kind or the other.
Since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries in 1951, China and Pakistan have developed an all-season friendship that is based on equality, brotherhood and overall cooperation. In past years, the two countries have carried out multi-dimensional cooperation in various fields. Despite the unstable international situation, the China-Pakistan friendship has remained strong and vibrant. Recent years have witnessed a frequent exchange in visits between the leaderships of the two countries, further promoting cooperation.
We are all aware that China has achieved considerable success in maintaining a peaceful environment. In the 1990s, during the Asian financial crisis, China provided a lot of help to neighbouring countries, and the Asian Free Trade Area (AFTA) came into being afterwards, based on the friendly relationship that China built with its neighbours. China is in need of a peaceful international environment to develop its economy further, and development is its main priority. Being considered the world’s most booming economy, it is therefore envisaged that China can play an extremely important role in building regional stability in Pakistan.
China, on its part, supported Pakistan in its just causes and helped Pakistan in a variety of projects including the Gwadar Port Project and Saindak Copper Project in Balochistan. Earlier, the Machine Tool Factory of Karachi and Heavy Mechanical Complex in Taxila were also established with China’s help. China has extended full cooperation towards making Pakistan self-reliant by providing expertise and know-how with a view to ensuring the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Pakistan.
In the early years of the establishment of Sino-Pakistan diplomatic relations, Pakistan remained inactive as it was an ally of the west. The period between 1957 and 1969 witnessed an important phase in the history of Sino-Pakistan relations. During this period, historic changes took place in bilateral relations, which changed the lukewarm attitude of Pakistan. This opened a new chapter in the relationship and, in the 1970s, steady developments were made to strengthen friendly cooperation between the two governments and their people. Since 1990, drastic changes have taken place on the international horizon but China and Pakistan have further developed their relationship.
China and Pakistan have witnessed steady growth in mutual investments in recent years. In the last few years, China invested more than $ 1.3 billion in Pakistan. A large number of Chinese companies are presently working in Pakistan in different sectors. Chinese goods are very much in demand in Pakistani markets. Their experience of growth in trade is positive due to convenient trade flows and openness measures. China has become one of the top five import sources of Pakistan. Bilateral trade had reached around seven billion dollars between 2008 and 2010 and is on the rise.
Both countries have continued with their planning to undertake mega economic projects like the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) connecting the Pakistani port of Gwadar with Kashgar (Xinjiang region), China, construction of dams and Chinese investment in Pakistani textile, energy, banking, commerce and industry sectors and numerous other development projects. Enhancing connectivity between China and Pakistan and agreements on expanding economic and trade cooperation, promoting economic integration, fostering economic development of the two countries will not only benefit China and Pakistan but also transform the whole region.
The recent visit of Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif to China was successful as both countries signed almost 19 agreements on mega projects relating to electricity generation. These projects include the 330 MW Thar coal-fired power plant, Suki-Kinari hydropower project, the 660 MW Muzaffargarh coal-fired power project, 660 MW coal-fired power project in Qadirabad, district Sahiwal, a 99 MW UEP power project and the 900 MW Quaid-e-Azam solar power station project. The new agreements pave the way for Chinese state-owned companies to help build at least four new power stations in Pakistan, while the deals also cover the supply and mining of coal. It is a good step by both counties for showing mutual understanding but the credit goes to China, a country that has always supported Pakistan in hard and tough times.
Moreover, I am of the view that there should be a free and facilitated exchange of businesspersons between the two countries. Pakistani companies should be encouraged to develop joint ventures with multinationals in China, which will help us penetrate the Chinese market as well as the global market. These joint ventures will also help in transfer of technology, management skills and improve innovation in products and services. Besides, it may shore up the trade balance with China as presently, China’s exports to Pakistan were about $ 6.9 billion and Pakistan’s imports from China were about $ 1.7 billion in 2010.
Many of the students whom I met were of the view that both countries should also sign an agreement through which the youth of both Pakistan and China can travel to each other’s countries. This programme will help diverse groups of youth from Pakistan and China understand lifestyles, society and the system of the two states. It will also help to develop a bridge of communication between the young of both countries and will enable them to exchange ideas, partake in professional networking, learn from each other and help to further deepen the roots of the historic friendship termed as “stronger than steel and sweeter than honey”.
There is a lot of potential for trade between Pakistan and China. In the present geopolitical and geostrategic dynamics, Pakistan and China need each other more than ever. The economic ties between China and Pakistan need to be strengthened on a war footing and beyond rhetoric. We need to identify areas of priority, where mutual growth can take effect efficiently.
We as Pakistanis should know that China’s influence as a growing economic power can wield substantive support to Pakistan in the decisions made by international financial institutions. Such support can go a long way in helping Pakistan fight its way out of its financial distress, and in getting the desired foreign investment.

The writer is a social and political activist based in Lahore and can be reached at salmanali088@gmail.com