The unique nature of Sino-Pak relationship
During his address to the joint session of Pakistani parliament, Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao lauded Pakistan's role and sacrifices it rendered in combating terrorism. He said, "Pakistan has paid a heavy price in combating terrorism and the fight against terrorism should not be linked with any religion or ethnic group and there should be no double standards." He emphasized upon the international community for a greater support of this Pakistani role, while making a firm commitment to further enhance and bolster the strategic and economic cooperation between Pakistan and China. Indeed, in conformity to the national interests of the peoples of both countries, this strategic cooperation would promote, "peace, stability and prosperity of the region."
The three day historic visit of Chinese premier is considered as a milestone in the Sino-Pak history of bilateral relationship. Indeed, Pakistan is among the first few countries, which recognized and established the diplomatic relations with China in the initial days of its emergence as a communist state. Islamabad undertook hectic lobbying for China in getting UN membership. In the era of Field Marshal Muhammad Ayub, Sino-Pak relationship was formalised on the strategic lines. Through his strategic vision, he made Pak-China relationship as an essential and never changing pillar of the foreign policy of Pakistan.
Unlike the traditional meetings with the president and prime minister, the Chinese premier met with leaders of all political parties of Pakistan. It was rather a rare mosaic of Pakistani political, religious, and territorial leadership gathering to welcome their all time friend in Islamabad. This gathering was indicative of the fact that all political actors in Islamabad were on the same page when it comes to Sino-Pak relationship. The Chinese premier also met armed forces heads under Chairman Joint Chief of Staff Committee and assured further enhancement in the ongoing cooperation in the field of defence. Premier Wen Jiabao declared that, "Beijing would never give up on Pakistan."
During the visit of Prime Minister Wen Jiabao, Pakistan and China concluded economic deals worth $35 billion in total. This indeed is a new record of the economic deals and agreements in the history of traditional friends. Projects like Karakoram Highway, Gwadar Port, and Chashma nuclear reactors are some of the examples of growing Sino-Pak strategic cooperation. Both premiers attended the Pak-China Business Cooperation summit, participated by 260 Chinese
delegates with their 150 Pakistani counterparts.
The agreements reached during the summit include; "development of energy sector, promotion of trade, exploration of natural resources and development of agriculture, livestock, finance and banking sectors."
The bilateral trade between Pakistan and China rose from $1 billion in 2002, to $6.8 billion in 2009. The Chinese premier desires that volume of this trade should be brought to the level of $10 billion at earliest possible timeframe. In addition, Premier Wen said his country would increase investment in Gwadar Port, constructed by China in 2006. The Chinese premier promised that his country would remove trade barriers between Pakistan and China by improving trade infrastructure and promoting Pakistani exports.
Pakistan welcomes Chinese investment in the energy sector and exploration of its oil and gas resources. The prime minister assured the Chinese investors for special economic incentives like; "duty-free import of plant and machinery, exemption from sales tax and income tax." In spite of a stiff resistance from New Delhi and Washington, China has agreed to establish two nuclear plants as part of the civil nuclear energy programme.
At the political and global horizon, China supports the Pakistani point of view on Kashmir issue. It has a clear and unambiguous stated stance that Kashmiris must get their right of self-determination as per UN resolutions. China indeed, rejects all Indian assertions of betraying Pak-China relationship and regional domination by India. In addition, China does not support Indian case for a permanent membership of UNSC.
As compare to rocky, complicated, and suspicious relationship with United States, Sino-Pak relationship is a history of mutuality, naivety, and sincerity. Chinese Premier has the moral courage to laud the sacrifices of Pakistan in combating the terrorism. This acknowledgement and praise indeed, is in stark contrast to a "cacophony of statements emanating out of Washington that urge Pakistan to do more." Therefore, the red carpet reception for such a time tested friend and declaring the "Friendship with China as a matter of pride for Pakistani nation," by Prime Minister Gilani was a true reflection of the national sentiments
China Pakistan bhai bhai.
