Pakistan-China Relations in Shahbaz Sharif Era

Amjad Abbas Magsi

The Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shahbaz Sharif has termed Pak-China friendship as everlasting and unbreakable. He described China a sincere and reliable partner who has stood by Pakistan in every hour of trial. During his maiden speech in the Parliament immediately after being elected as 23rd Prime Minister of Pakistan, while discussing the foreign relations, the Premier mentioned China in the first place. This is a testament to the pivotal significance of China holds in Pakistan's foreign policy. He also specially thanked Chinese President Xi Jinping for his continuous support for Pakistan, which is an expression of complete confidence in Chinese Leadership.

The top leadership of China and Pakistan have a clear vision of the construction of CPEC and both countries believe that this project is not only in the interest of Pakistan and China but also in advancing regional interests. The project will help to change the destinies of the people of South Asia and Central Asia.

The Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has visited China several times before as the Chief Minister of Punjab and often he expresses his views on the miraculous development of China and "China Speed". He has been Chief Minister of the Punjab province for three times, the largest province of Pakistan. It was his 3rd stint as Chief Minister 2013-18 when the flagship project of Belt and Road Initiative-China Pakistan Economic Corridor(CPEC) was initiated in 2015. The first phase of CPEC completed successfully with early harvest projects especially in the fields of Infrastructure and Energy production. The Solar Power project, Coal Power plants and Metro Bus and Orange Line Metro rail Projects were completed.  

In the Punjab province, energy and infrastructure projects were completed at faster speed as compared to projects run by other provinces. Because of timely completion by the Punjab leadership, the term of “Punjab Speed” was coined attributing to the early and successful completion of projects in the Punjab. The Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has vowed to take CPEC project forward with “Pakistan Speed”. This means that under CPEC ongoing projects across Pakistan will be successfully completed with fast speed. With in one week coming in to Power, he has successfully launched the second phase of the stalled Metro Bus Orange project in Islamabad. In the light of vision of leadership, the CPEC projects will be completed expeditiously, and the cooperation between the two countries in various fields under the scope of CPEC will be expanded which will contribute to the socio-economic development of Pakistan.

The historical background of Sino-Pakistan relationships spanning seven decades of the solid foundations of the mutual, lasting and ever flourishing friendship. The relationships have been established on the basis of mutual trust, cooperation and harmony. The relationships are unique in the International Relations, as without having common language, culture, political and educational system, they succeed in establishing the ever growing relationships. It started from diplomatic relationships to “Iron Brothers”, which is the finest example of the strategic relations between the two countries. In International Relations, there are no permanent friends and no permanent foes, rather it is the "National Interest" which is the basis of relationship between the nations. On the contrary, Sino-Pakistan Relationships have been proved time tested and “All Weather Friendship”. It has been continuously growing upward despite change of governments on both sides. Both have succeeded to cultivate deep rooted relationship between “State to State” and “Nation to Nation” on both sides. On all International issues both Pakistan and China have adopted a common stance like Pakistan is a supporter of One China.    

The Sino-Pak friendship is multi-dimensional ranging from diplomatic to defense and to vibrant socio-economic ties. The vision which China has set forth is that of inclusiveness and common welfare. China is Pakistan’s largest trading partner and largest source of foreign investment. Chinese investment in Pakistan can be used for manufacturing to sell in Pakistan, export to China and EU at zero import duty.

In the changing regional and global dynamics; emerging new alliance; and contemporary challenges, Pak-China friendship will have long-lasting effects throughout the globe. Sensing the need of the hour, Pakistan and China have now been cementing their broad based ties through CPEC which can have multifaceted ramifications on the geo-political and socio-economic conditions of the region. Like other fields of Space technology, China and Pakistan are closely cooperating in marine information research and marine environmental data sharing. Through increased technology sharing and joint ventures both can benefit from the true spirit of mutual friendship. There is a need to further broaden the basis of mutual trust and cooperation. That experience has taught Pakistan that our friendship with China is more of an all-weather friendship than a strategic partnership. 

Amjad Abbas Magsi is Non-resident Fellow at Research Centre for Asian Studies(RCAS), China, as well as Associate Professor at Institute of Belt and Road, Punjab University, Pakistan. 

RCAS Commentary-Pakistan-China Relations in Shahbaz Sharif Era.pdf