Business | Opinion
A vital Chinese neighbour
China's decision to agree to sell two new nuclear reactors to Pakistan, defying international pressure on Islamabad, only reaffirms the time tested nature of Pakistan's well established relationship to Beijing.
- By Farhan Bokhari, Special to Gulf News
- Published: 23:33 October 25, 2008
Islamabad: China's decision to agree to sell two new nuclear reactors to Pakistan, defying international pressure on Islamabad, only reaffirms the time tested nature of Pakistan's well established relationship to Beijing.
While much of the western world led by the United States remains wary of supporting Pakistan's nuclear programme, the Chinese gesture to the contrary highlights Beijing's strong support to Islamabad's vital interests.
The two new reactors, to be known as Chashma-3 and Chahma-4, proposed to be built alongside the Chinese supplied Chashma-1, and China's agreement to build the Chashma-2, all in central Punjab, are together another major monument to the Pak-China friendship.
China has never let down Pakistan, and by its conduct remains prepared to help Pakistan emerge from its current economic predicament, highlighted in Chinese promises during recent visits to China by President Asif Ali Zardari and prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani.
There are indeed other important elements in China's ties to Pakistan. China remains the most credible supplier of military hardware to Pakistan. From frontline fighter jets to light field equipment, there is no end to China's generosity in meeting Pakistan's needs.
For the moment, in view of the history of Pakistan's relations with China, prospects for the future look promising enough. However, going forward, Pakistan will have to consolidate this relationship using action on three equally vital fronts.
Security issues
First, there will have to be some consideration given to the idea of radically improving the security for Chinese corporate interests in Pakistan. In recent years, Chinese engineering workers have been abducted and Chinese women who ran a beauty parlour in Islamabad were kidnapped and humiliated by Islamic zealots just last year.
Without a radical push to improve security conditions for Chinese nationals, no matter where they are based, this will only work to undermine plans for promoting Sino-Pak business and economic interests.
Second, China has once again indicated its intention of coming to Pakistan's economic rescue, as promises made to president Zardari, included commitments of making certain that Beijing will indeed prevent Pakistan from defaulting on its foreign debt payments. This is a vital assurance at a time when Pakistan's own economic indicators are generally heading southwards. China has the financial muscle to help its friend overcome a sharp crunch, and move towards greater prosperity. Pakistan has reciprocated the Chinese promise of support with offering a range of important economic projects that it feels can be undertaken by Chinese investors. However, the challenge for Pakistan is now to lay the basis for fast tracking of Chinese investment projects.
Finally, Pakistan's strategic objectives in its ties with China are far too important to be frittered away, even through unintentional policy errors. President Zardari should have travelled to Beijing as his first port of call after becoming Pakistan's head of state in August this year. Instead, he chose to first travel to the UK and then the US, reinforcing Pakistan's intention to maintain close ties with the US.
Farhan Bokhari is a Pakistan-based commentator who writes on political and economic matters.
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