China woos Baloch separtists to secure Belt and Road projects

[PDFChamp]

Here is an excerpt: click on the link for the full article: https://www.ft.com/content/063ce350-1099-11e8-8cb6-b9ccc4c4dbbb (FT copyright policies)

Beijing in talks with separatists in Baluchistan to protect $60bn investment Gwadar port in Pakistan's south-western state of Baluchistan.

China has been quietly holding talks with Baloch separatists for more than five years in an effort to protect the $60bn worth of infrastructure projects it is financing as part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. Three people with knowledge of the talks told the Financial Times that Beijing had been in direct contact with militants in the south-western state of Baluchistan, where many of the scheme’s most important projects are located. ....

“The Chinese have quietly made a lot of progress,” said one Pakistani official. “Even though separatists occasionally try to carry out the odd attack, they are not making a forceful push.”...Pakistani officials, however, have welcomed the talks between Baloch rebels and Chinese envoys....

“[The Chinese] are here to stay and help Pakistan, unlike the Americans, who cannot be trusted,” the person said. ... One provincial tribal leader said many young men had been persuaded to lay down their weapons by the promise of financial benefits. “Today, young men are not getting attracted to join the insurgents as they did some 10 years ago,” he said. “Many people see prosperity” as a result of the China-Pakistan corridor, he said.

 

[MultaniGuy]

There are hardly any Baloch separatists now. The year is almost 2020.

 

[khansaheeb]

The fruits and dividends of CPEC are enormous. The wise people will seek the wise ways and a fistful of dollars always works unless you are an Afghan.

 

[Clutch]

• 
  Daily Times Monitor
  in PakistanOn February 20, 2018
  

China woos Baloch to secure CPEC projects

ISLAMABAD: China has been quietly holding talks with the Baloch for more than five years in an effort to protect the $60bn worth of infrastructure projects it is financing as part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

Three people with knowledge of the talks told the Financial Times that Beijing had been in direct contact with the Baloch insurgents, where many of the scheme’s most important projects are located. “The Chinese have quietly made a lot of progress,” said one Pakistani official. “Even though insurgents occasionally try to carry out the odd attack, they are not making a forceful push.”

“The Belt and Road Initiative is portrayed as an economic project to boost infrastructure and connectivity but, increasingly, it has significant local political and strategic dimensions,” said Rahul Roy-Chaudhury, senior fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies.

Pakistani officials, however, have welcomed the talks between Baloch insurgents and Chinese envoys, even if they do not know the details of what has been discussed. “Ultimately, if there’s peace in Balochistan, that will benefit both of us,” said one official in Islamabad.

Another said the recent decision by the US to suspend security assistance to Pakistan had convinced many in Islamabad that China was a more genuine partner. “The Chinese are here to stay and help Pakistan, unlike the Americans, who cannot be trusted,” the person said.

Pakistan is planning to buy Chinese military helicopters and components for surveillance drones as part of its plan to fortify its border with Afghanistan with a 2,600km-long fence.

Chinese officials did not comment on the talks, though the Chinese ambassador to Islamabad said in a recent interview with the BBC that militants in Balochistan were no longer a threat to the economic corridor. One provincial tribal leader said many young men had been persuaded to lay down their weapons by the promise of financial benefits. “Today, young men are not getting attracted to join the insurgents as they did some 10 years ago,” he said. “Many people see prosperity” as a result of the China-Pakistan corridor, he said.

Published in Daily Times, February 20th 2018.


CPEC meant to build strong and prosperous Pakistan: Yao Jing


China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is meant to build a strong and prosperous Pakistan, said Chinese ambassador Yao Jing.
Fakhir Rizvi / Business / News / Mon 19th February 2018 | 06:34 PM

Islamabad, (Pakistan Point News - 19th Feb, 2018): China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is meant to build a strong and prosperous Pakistan, said Chinese ambassador Yao Jing. The CPEC is facing many challenges and the two sides are committed to overcome them through joint efforts, he said while addressing launching ceremony of a research report on 'CPEC: Facts Vc.

Fiction' here on Monday. Chinese language classes, jointly arranged by the Pakistan-China-Institute and JS business Group was also launched on the occasion. Chairman Senate Mian Raza Rabbani was the chief guest at the ceremony that was well attended by some members of the Parliament, think-tanks, diplomats and businessmen.

Yao Jing spoke high about the growing socio-economic relationship of the countries, and said this meets common aspirations of their people. The CPEC is mutually beneficial cooperative arrangement that was going on successfully.

The two sides, he said wanted to exploit their available resources to undertake such projects that benefit the common man. The ambassador expressed his pleasure that the CPEC enjoys complete consensus of all segments of the society.




Appreciating the launching of the Chinese classes, Yao Jing said language serves as vehicle to get closer to each other. It will also help improving understanding on matters of mutual interest as well as giving strength to their cultural ties.

Main Raza Rabbani in his address spoke about evolving relationship of the two countries. It was Chairman Mao and shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto who had laid foundation of these relations that stood test of time.

The CPEC, he said it is of strategic and economic importance and relates to the better future of the two countries. About the President Xi Jinping's Belt and Road initiative, he said it is a major development in the 21st century and could be termed as Asia's dream, ensuring welfare of the people by exploiting own existing resources through joint efforts.

The event was also addressed by the chairman of Pak-China Institute senator Mushahid Hussain Syed who said the Sino-Pak historical relationship has entered into unique and unprecedented stage and is bringing huge benefits to the people in allsphere of life.

Mr. Kamran Nasir, Chief Executive JS Global Capital Ltd highlighted on the occasion their business and investment activities giving support to CPEC.

 

[tarrar]

I am sure there is no secrecy in these meetings if they were truly held, Pakistan I am sure are well aware of any such meetings if they were held.

 

[Clutch]

China in talks with Baloch militants to secure CPEC projects, says FT

Monitoring DeskUpdated February 20, 2018
105
19
KARACHI: China has been quietly holding talks with Baloch militants for more than five years in an effort to protect the $60 billion worth of infrastructure projects it is financing as part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Financial Times claimed on Monday.

Three people with knowledge of the talks told the paper that Beijing had been in direct contact with militants in Balochistan, where many of the CPEC-related schemes are located.

“The Chinese have quietly made a lot of progress,” one Pakistani official told Financial Times. “Even though separatists occasionally try to carry out the odd attack, they are not making a forceful push.”

For more than half a century, Beijing has maintained a policy of non-interference in the domestic politics of other countries. But that has been tested by its desire to protect the billions of dollars it is investing around the world under its Belt and Road Initiative to create a “new Silk Road” of trade routes in Europe, Asia and Africa.

ARTICLE CONTINUES AFTER AD
Pakistani officials welcome negotiations between Beijing and insurgents

As it seeks to boost the Chinese economy, China’s plans for the new Silk Road has pitched it into some of the world’s most complex conflict zones.

Chinese peacekeepers are already in South Sudan, where Beijing has invested in oilfields and is planning to build a rail line. China has also contributed troops to a UN peacekeeping operation in Mali and even talked about launching attacks against the militant Islamic State group in Iraq, where it has been the largest foreign investor in the country’s oil sector.

In Pakistan, Beijing appears keen to fill the void left by Washington, which has drifted from its former ally after becoming frustrated at Islamabad’s failure to tackle extremism.

Some have warned that China’s investment could lead to Pakistan being treated like a client state by Beijing, despite promises that Chinese troops would not be stationed there.

The paper claimed that the Pakistani officials welcomed the talks between Baloch rebels and Chinese envoys, even if they do not know the details of what has been discussed.

“Ultimately, if there’s peace in Balochistan, that will benefit both of us,” said one official in Islamabad.

Another said that the recent decision by the US to suspend security assistance to Pakistan had convinced many in Islamabad that China was a more genuine partner.

“[The Chinese] are here to stay and help Pakistan, unlike the Americans, who cannot be trusted,” the official said.

Chinese officials did not comment on the talks, though the Chinese ambassador to Islamabad said in a recent interview with the BBC that militants in Balochistan were no longer a threat to the economic corridor.

One provincial tribal leader said many young men had been persuaded to lay down their weapons by the promise of financial benefits.

“Today, young men are not getting attracted to join the insurgents as they did some 10 years ago,” he said. “Many people see prosperity” as a result of the CPEC, he added.

Published in Dawn, February 20th, 2018

 

[BABA AGHORI]

I am sure there is no secrecy in these meetings if they were truly held, Pakistan I am sure are well aware of any such meetings if they were held.

Yes, Pakistan should be aware of these meetings, else it would be a very serious issue.

 

[third eye]

https://www.dawn.com/news/1390520/c...och-militants-to-secure-cpec-projects-says-ft

KARACHI: China has been quietly holding talks with Baloch militants for more than five years in an effort to protect the $60 billion worth of infrastructure projects it is financing as part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Financial Times claimed on Monday.

Three people with knowledge of the talks told the paper that Beijing had been in direct contact with militants in Balochistan, where many of the CPEC-related schemes are located.

“The Chinese have quietly made a lot of progress,” one Pakistani official told Financial Times. “Even though separatists occasionally try to carry out the odd attack, they are not making a forceful push.”

For more than half a century, Beijing has maintained a policy of non-interference in the domestic politics of other countries. But that has been tested by its desire to protect the billions of dollars it is investing around the world under its Belt and Road Initiative to create a “new Silk Road” of trade routes in Europe, Asia and Africa.

As it seeks to boost the Chinese economy, China’s plans for the new Silk Road has pitched it into some of the world’s most complex conflict zones.

Chinese peacekeepers are already in South Sudan, where Beijing has invested in oilfields and is planning to build a rail line. China has also contributed troops to a UN peacekeeping operation in Mali and even talked about launching attacks against the militant Islamic State group in Iraq, where it has been the largest foreign investor in the country’s oil sector.

In Pakistan, Beijing appears keen to fill the void left by Washington, which has drifted from its former ally after becoming frustrated at Islamabad’s failure to tackle extremism.

Some have warned that China’s investment could lead to Pakistan being treated like a client state by Beijing, despite promises that Chinese troops would not be stationed there.

The paper claimed that the Pakistani officials welcomed the talks between Baloch rebels and Chinese envoys, even if they do not know the details of what has been discussed.

“Ultimately, if there’s peace in Balochistan, that will benefit both of us,” said one official in Islamabad.

Another said that the recent decision by the US to suspend security assistance to Pakistan had convinced many in Islamabad that China was a more genuine partner.

“[The Chinese] are here to stay and help Pakistan, unlike the Americans, who cannot be trusted,” the official said.

Chinese officials did not comment on the talks, though the Chinese ambassador to Islamabad said in a recent interview with the BBC that militants in Balochistan were no longer a threat to the economic corridor.

One provincial tribal leader said many young men had been persuaded to lay down their weapons by the promise of financial benefits.

“Today, young men are not getting attracted to join the insurgents as they did some 10 years ago,” he said. “Many people see prosperity” as a result of the CPEC, he added.

Published in Dawn, February 20th, 2018

 

[Maarkhoor]

There are hardly any Baloch separatists now. The year is almost 2020.

Someone trying hard to undermine our military efforts to control Indian paid proxies and now many self exiled so called Baloch leaders wants to return back in Pakistan and negotiating truce.

 

[Thanatos]

Those few separatists just wanted some guarantees and assurances on the behalf of Pakistani state as they didnt trust the state. China acted as a mediator and assured them that they wont be trialed in any court , they would be given fair share in CPEC and other projects. Government and military establishment arranged those talks that happened some where in middle east.