China, Pakistan reinforce time tested ties
Yuba Nath Lamsal
China and Pakistan have once again demonstrated high level of goodwill and love for one another and expressed their resolve to further expand and nurture their time tested relations for the benefit of the peoples of both the countries. This was truly reflected during the visit of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao to Pakistan recently. Wen carried enormous goodwill of Chinese people whereas the Pakistani people, irrespective of their political leaning, were highly enthusiastic and overwhelmed to receive the Chinese Premier in their country.
Apart from discussing matters of mutual interests and signing of several agreements and memorandum of understanding concerning bilateral assistance and investment worth more than 35 billion US dollars, the Chinese Premier addressed the joint session of parliament in Pakistan—the rare opportunity that is given to only a few world leaders whom Pakistan respects with high esteem. No world leader ever had such a reception and united response with a spirit of colossal love and respect that Wen got in the history of Pakistan. Although Premier Wen paid official visit to India prior to his trip to Pakistan, New Delhi's approach was more cautious and formal.
In his address to the joint session of parliament, Wen declared that Beijing would never give up on Pakistan and said that government and people of Pakistan are united and moving forward to safeguard solidarity, prosperity, and sovereignty of the country. The remarks of the Chinese leader were responded with thunderous applause from the lawmakers. Cutting across partisan line, all the lawmakers were equally enthusiastic in welcoming Chinese leaders. Earlier, welcoming in parliament, leader of opposition had said ' we are mired in a lot of controversies but on one issue there is not controversy that is relationship and friendship with China".
There is no shade of doubt that China and Pakistan are 'all weather friends'. China and Pakistan are not only neighbours but strategic partners, as well. China and Pakistan established their diplomatic relations in 1951, which have continued to grow and expand even today. The friendly relations between these two countries took a new dimension after the Sino-Indian war in 1962 in which Pakistan offered its moral support to the People's Republic of China. China has always valued Pakistan as a truest friend as its support and cooperation to China during the height of the Cold War was very important. At a time when China was being isolated and encircled by the Soviet Union, India hastened to join the Soviet camp threatening China's security and sovereignty. However, Pakistan not only extended its moral support to China but also acted as a bridge between Beijing and the Western world specially the United States of America. Apart from this, Pakistan has served as a key bridge between Beijing and the entire Muslim world.
Pakistan took the initiative to bring Beijing and Washington closer for which Ayub Khan played a crucial role, which China has highly valued. As a result of Pakistan's initiative, Washington and Beijing worked closely to counter Soviet military adventurism in Asia. This is the reason why Chinese president Hu Jintao once described China-Pakistan relations as “higher than the mountains and deeper than the oceans".
Although Pakistan had been a close ally of the United States during the Cold War, US-Pakistan relations are described as 'fair-weather relations", which have wavered on different occasions. Pakistan has served the US interests and objectives in Asia and elsewhere more than its European partners. Pakistan worked as a frontline state of the United States in the war against Soviet invasion in Afghanistan. In return, US abandoned Pakistan soon after American interests and objectives were achieved in Afghanistan. Even more surprisingly, the United Stated joined hands with Pakistan's arch-rival India and entered into strategic alliance with New Delhi, which was quite unbecoming on the part of Pakistan's genuine friend. The United States' Pakistan policy was guided by marriage of convenience. As Pakistan was heavily dependent on the United States for the supply of military hardware, Islamabad suddenly found itself in awkward position when Washington showed wavering attitude for supplying military equipment.
But China and Pakistan have 'all weather relations' never to be broken and dithered under any circumstances, which have been reflected even today. China has come to the rescue of Pakistan on all fronts from defence to economic and infrastructural development. Currently, China is cooperating with Pakistan in infrastructure development projects like Karakoram highway, Gwadar port, and Chashma nuclear reactors, Kohala Hydel project and Bunji dam project.
As declared by Pakistan's Prime Minister Mohammad Yusuf Raza Gilani, Islamabad indeed takes friendship with China as a matter of pride for Pakistani nation, which was a refelction of national sentiment of Pakistan. As China is growing economically, certain countries in the West have taken it as a threat to their economic interest. Some countries are, therefore, trying to weaken and destabilize China by instigating some criminal and separatist elements with the hope of preventing China's growth and advancement. But Pakistan is firm and consistent in its one-China policy and condemns any kind of attempt to destabilize China. Elaborating Pakistan's position, Prime Minister Gilani said, "Pakistan condemns any attempt to undermine China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity”.
China and Pakistan share common views on several international and regional issues. China has backed Pakistan on Kashmir issue and Beijing has reiterated its stance that Kashmir issue needs to be resolved as per the United Nations' resolution that respects Kashmiri people's right of self-determination. Pakistan has been demanding impartial plebiscite in Kashmir as per the UN resolution on the basis of which Kashmir issue should be resolved. Similarly, China has backed Pakistani position on the issue of India's attempt to get seat in the United Nations Security Council. India is already a South Asian bully which has been the source of security and other problems in South Asia. Supporting India's attempt to get permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council would be tantamount to supporting its hegemonic policy that creates terror in South Asia. China has understood the feelings and sentiments of the people in South Asia and Beijing is, thus, expected to use its influence in the UN forum to take decision in favour of South Asian countries and people. Now Pakistan's main security concern and threat is India's hegemonic policy in South Asia. Assuring Pakistan of all kinds of support, China has always rejected any kind of hegemonic and ill-conceived dominant role of India in South Asia. China also assured Pakistan for its full supports on Pakistani position on the Afghan issue.
As China and Pakistan have best relations, they have decided to celebrate 2011 as the ‘Year of China-Pakistan Friendship' in commemoration of the golden jubilee of the establishment of China-Pakistan diplomatic relationship. Strong and stable Pakistan is the core interest of China's security strategy, whereas strong and favorable relation with China is the fundamental basis of Pakistan's foreign policy. The interests of both the countries have matched, which is the indication that China-Pakistan relations would continue to grow in future.
China-Pakistan relations the best example of good neighbours and true friends. Once China trusts, it trusts forever until and unless there is no betrayal from the other side. China understands the strategic and economic value and significance of Pakistan especially in South Asia, central Asia and the Middle East. Similarly, Pakistan values Chinese support very highly. These common interests have bound China and Pakistan together. China's strong presence and role in South Asia is needed in order to maintain just power balance. Pakistan has understood the value of China's presence and involvement in South Asia more than any other countries in the region. Other countries in South Asia including Nepal, too, need to understand the strategic and economic value of China's presence and involvement and accordingly adopt their South Asia and China policy. China is the close neighbour of many of the South Asian countries as five of the eight South Asian countries share land border with China.
Nepal needs to learn lesson from China-Pakistan relations more than any other country and act accordingly so that Chinese would be more forthcoming in Nepal. China is an economic power whereas Nepal is desperately needing foreign investment. If favorable policies are adopted to encourage Chinese investment, Nepal would definitely see a huge investment from China. At the same time, China is interested to help Nepal more economically so that Nepali economy would be self-reliant and better. But there is always weakness on the par t of Nepal as its policies are often influenced from the pressure of its southern neighbour that discourages Chinese investment and assistance in Nepal.
China and Pakistan have once again demonstrated high level of goodwill and love for one another and expressed their resolve to further expand and nurture their time tested relations for the benefit of the peoples of both the countries. This was truly reflected during the visit of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao to Pakistan recently. Wen carried enormous goodwill of Chinese people whereas the Pakistani people, irrespective of their political leaning, were highly enthusiastic and overwhelmed to receive the Chinese Premier in their country.
Apart from discussing matters of mutual interests and signing of several agreements and memorandum of understanding concerning bilateral assistance and investment worth more than 35 billion US dollars, the Chinese Premier addressed the joint session of parliament in Pakistan—the rare opportunity that is given to only a few world leaders whom Pakistan respects with high esteem. No world leader ever had such a reception and united response with a spirit of colossal love and respect that Wen got in the history of Pakistan. Although Premier Wen paid official visit to India prior to his trip to Pakistan, New Delhi's approach was more cautious and formal.
In his address to the joint session of parliament, Wen declared that Beijing would never give up on Pakistan and said that government and people of Pakistan are united and moving forward to safeguard solidarity, prosperity, and sovereignty of the country. The remarks of the Chinese leader were responded with thunderous applause from the lawmakers. Cutting across partisan line, all the lawmakers were equally enthusiastic in welcoming Chinese leaders. Earlier, welcoming in parliament, leader of opposition had said ' we are mired in a lot of controversies but on one issue there is not controversy that is relationship and friendship with China".
There is no shade of doubt that China and Pakistan are 'all weather friends'. China and Pakistan are not only neighbours but strategic partners, as well. China and Pakistan established their diplomatic relations in 1951, which have continued to grow and expand even today. The friendly relations between these two countries took a new dimension after the Sino-Indian war in 1962 in which Pakistan offered its moral support to the People's Republic of China. China has always valued Pakistan as a truest friend as its support and cooperation to China during the height of the Cold War was very important. At a time when China was being isolated and encircled by the Soviet Union, India hastened to join the Soviet camp threatening China's security and sovereignty. However, Pakistan not only extended its moral support to China but also acted as a bridge between Beijing and the Western world specially the United States of America. Apart from this, Pakistan has served as a key bridge between Beijing and the entire Muslim world.
Pakistan took the initiative to bring Beijing and Washington closer for which Ayub Khan played a crucial role, which China has highly valued. As a result of Pakistan's initiative, Washington and Beijing worked closely to counter Soviet military adventurism in Asia. This is the reason why Chinese president Hu Jintao once described China-Pakistan relations as “higher than the mountains and deeper than the oceans".
Although Pakistan had been a close ally of the United States during the Cold War, US-Pakistan relations are described as 'fair-weather relations", which have wavered on different occasions. Pakistan has served the US interests and objectives in Asia and elsewhere more than its European partners. Pakistan worked as a frontline state of the United States in the war against Soviet invasion in Afghanistan. In return, US abandoned Pakistan soon after American interests and objectives were achieved in Afghanistan. Even more surprisingly, the United Stated joined hands with Pakistan's arch-rival India and entered into strategic alliance with New Delhi, which was quite unbecoming on the part of Pakistan's genuine friend. The United States' Pakistan policy was guided by marriage of convenience. As Pakistan was heavily dependent on the United States for the supply of military hardware, Islamabad suddenly found itself in awkward position when Washington showed wavering attitude for supplying military equipment.
But China and Pakistan have 'all weather relations' never to be broken and dithered under any circumstances, which have been reflected even today. China has come to the rescue of Pakistan on all fronts from defence to economic and infrastructural development. Currently, China is cooperating with Pakistan in infrastructure development projects like Karakoram highway, Gwadar port, and Chashma nuclear reactors, Kohala Hydel project and Bunji dam project.
As declared by Pakistan's Prime Minister Mohammad Yusuf Raza Gilani, Islamabad indeed takes friendship with China as a matter of pride for Pakistani nation, which was a refelction of national sentiment of Pakistan. As China is growing economically, certain countries in the West have taken it as a threat to their economic interest. Some countries are, therefore, trying to weaken and destabilize China by instigating some criminal and separatist elements with the hope of preventing China's growth and advancement. But Pakistan is firm and consistent in its one-China policy and condemns any kind of attempt to destabilize China. Elaborating Pakistan's position, Prime Minister Gilani said, "Pakistan condemns any attempt to undermine China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity”.
China and Pakistan share common views on several international and regional issues. China has backed Pakistan on Kashmir issue and Beijing has reiterated its stance that Kashmir issue needs to be resolved as per the United Nations' resolution that respects Kashmiri people's right of self-determination. Pakistan has been demanding impartial plebiscite in Kashmir as per the UN resolution on the basis of which Kashmir issue should be resolved. Similarly, China has backed Pakistani position on the issue of India's attempt to get seat in the United Nations Security Council. India is already a South Asian bully which has been the source of security and other problems in South Asia. Supporting India's attempt to get permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council would be tantamount to supporting its hegemonic policy that creates terror in South Asia. China has understood the feelings and sentiments of the people in South Asia and Beijing is, thus, expected to use its influence in the UN forum to take decision in favour of South Asian countries and people. Now Pakistan's main security concern and threat is India's hegemonic policy in South Asia. Assuring Pakistan of all kinds of support, China has always rejected any kind of hegemonic and ill-conceived dominant role of India in South Asia. China also assured Pakistan for its full supports on Pakistani position on the Afghan issue.
As China and Pakistan have best relations, they have decided to celebrate 2011 as the ‘Year of China-Pakistan Friendship' in commemoration of the golden jubilee of the establishment of China-Pakistan diplomatic relationship. Strong and stable Pakistan is the core interest of China's security strategy, whereas strong and favorable relation with China is the fundamental basis of Pakistan's foreign policy. The interests of both the countries have matched, which is the indication that China-Pakistan relations would continue to grow in future.
China-Pakistan relations the best example of good neighbours and true friends. Once China trusts, it trusts forever until and unless there is no betrayal from the other side. China understands the strategic and economic value and significance of Pakistan especially in South Asia, central Asia and the Middle East. Similarly, Pakistan values Chinese support very highly. These common interests have bound China and Pakistan together. China's strong presence and role in South Asia is needed in order to maintain just power balance. Pakistan has understood the value of China's presence and involvement in South Asia more than any other countries in the region. Other countries in South Asia including Nepal, too, need to understand the strategic and economic value of China's presence and involvement and accordingly adopt their South Asia and China policy. China is the close neighbour of many of the South Asian countries as five of the eight South Asian countries share land border with China.
Nepal needs to learn lesson from China-Pakistan relations more than any other country and act accordingly so that Chinese would be more forthcoming in Nepal. China is an economic power whereas Nepal is desperately needing foreign investment. If favorable policies are adopted to encourage Chinese investment, Nepal would definitely see a huge investment from China. At the same time, China is interested to help Nepal more economically so that Nepali economy would be self-reliant and better. But there is always weakness on the par t of Nepal as its policies are often influenced from the pressure of its southern neighbour that discourages Chinese investment and assistance in Nepal.
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