Guys!!! Is Pakistan in trouble regarding CPEC? Iran offers China

[PaklovesTurkiye]

Meanwhile PPP full leadership in US and commit to stop CPCC and in return they will get another 5 years license to lots Pakistan.

No. Whole nation is involved including army. This corridor will be completed by hook or crook. No one can do shit now.

 

[Mrc]

Fact remains iran is too easily sanctionable for chinese to make any serious effort towards chahbahar... US can easily sanction iran through UN on pretext of being non compliant with their treaty.. and they may opt for it if they see significant chinese investment in chahbahar....iranian dont have to break the treaty...US just need to feel the urge of sanctioning them..

But chinese coming closer to iran is a good thing, it will benefit both countries in long run and whole region...and will also decrease US influence in middle east and south asia substantially....
So we shud all support this....
But no its not a threat to pakistan...

 

[MadDog]

Iran is set to join CPEC, the only viable route to Xinjiang for Iran is via Pakistan, They are linking Chahbahar with Gwadar for this purpose, also selling 1000MW electricity plus setting up an oil refinery at Gwadar.
There is no other route, who is the writer of this article btw ? How on earth can Iran give an alternative route to Xingjiang, this is absolutely bizarre, the writer needs to learn to read a world map before writing something !!!

 

[PaklovesTurkiye]

Why not

 

[MadDog]

True, China don't have a direct land route to Iran.

the advantages are

1. Direct access to enegy fields of Iran,rather than shipping oil from Iran,Oman to Gwadar, then from Gwadar to China.

2. Iran route would also make Central Asian states connect with Persian Gulf.

3. Iran and Central states have less problem of insurrgency.

4. From Indian point of view,it's a win win situation with China.China Iran route can be superimposed North South Corridor from Mumbai to Moscow for economy of scale.

China is a bigger economy,it would want more routes for energy flows.It can also afford both parallel routes.

What we need is a regional framework between among states for integration in the regions of Central,West and South Asia. In this integration China can play a major role.

Might be good from an Indian point of view but not Chinese. Its better to pass through pak with just 1400-1500 km of road network rather than pass from 3-4 countries with three times the distance, it would be financially & logistically impossible. China has to look after its interests not India's.
Btw Gwadar used to be part of Oman before Pak purchased it in 1950's, Oman's distance is so close that under clear sky, at night one can observe lights of Oman from there.

 

[Dukkar]

i think PK Chinese love is good .

 

[HAIDER]

China mulling trade route with Iran as Pak leadership bickers

National
15 hours ago BY Mian Abrar

• Iranian president says there’s only 36km difference between Gwadar and Chabahar Port; Iran would provide safer route to Chinese shipments

• Ahsan Iqbal says Chinese investors might opt for other countries if Pakistan fails to resolve domestic issues

While political parties and provincial governments continue to squabble for a bigger pie of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), China is seriously mulling a new trade route linking Xinjiang province with Iran’s Chabahar Port bypassing Pakistan, Pakistan Today has learnt reliably.

During the recent landmark visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Tehran, the two countries agreed to enhance cooperation including in fossil and renewable energy, transportation, railways, ports, industry, commerce and services.

China, along with the United States, Britain, France, Germany and Russia, was among the countries that reached the agreement with Iran in July to curtail its nuclear activities in exchange for ending international sanctions.

Media reports said China has committed an immediate injection of $51 billion into Iran, vowing to enhance bilateral trade to the tone of $600 billion in the next 10 years. This would almost match China’s immediate investment in Pakistan under the ambitious CPEC project.

A well-placed source in the federal government told Pakistan Today that intelligence reports submitted to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif have warned him about the offer made by Iran.

“During the meeting with President Xi Jinping, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani asked his Chinese counterpart to adopt Chabahar Port rather than Gwadar which would be linked to a secure, beneficial trade route including a pipeline linking Iran and China,” the source said.

“The Iranian president said that there was a difference of only 36 kilometres between Gwadar and Chabahar but Iran would provide a route to Chinese shipments that was safer than Pakistan,” the source added.

The source said that the Iranian leadership gave President Xi Jinping a detailed briefing on its offer, detailing various possible routes from China to Chabahar.

“Moreover, Iran offered provide complete national unity and harmony unlike Pakistan where trade route is unsafe and it also lacks national unity,” the source quoted the intelligence reports.

The source said that national harmony and unity are two words very near and dear to the heart of the Chinese government and it is already concerned about the prospects of the CPEC due to instability and the scourge of terrorism that poses a major threat to the economic corridor.

It is pertinent to mention here that political bickering is increasing among the four provinces of Pakistan. Politicians are all trying to get major chunk out of the CPEC funding. Observers and analysts blame mishandling by the federal government for widespread concern over what they call an uneven distribution of resources among the four provinces.

According to the plan, not only has the Punjab government won the trade route, a major chunk of development and energy projects are being established in central Punjab, which have triggered a debate over the route.

“The Chinese government is largely concerned over the handling of the CPEC. They are unhappy over the fact that the federal and Punjab governments are only interested in energy projects, which the Sharif family wants to be completed before time. But no focus is being laid over the route construction and evolving harmony and unity over the trade route,” the source said.

The source added that China had already completed its part of the trade corridor but Pakistani government was way behind vis-à-vis completion of trade route on its side of the border.

The source said even the military leadership was also unhappy with the handling of the CPEC by the federal government.

“Everything in CPEC is being handled by the close relatives of the prime minister. Even federal ministers are kept out of the loop,” the source said, adding that it was a major reason that while the chief ministers of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh were asking for more shares, none of the federal ministers known for their strong loyalty to Sharifs come forward to defend the CPEC.

When contacted, Planning and Development Minister Ahsan Iqbal said that Iran had already shared its plans for establishing its own corridor with China.

“Yes, they are working on it. In his recent visit to Islamabad, Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif had also informed Pakistan about his government’s plans to develop a trade corridor linking Iran and China,” he added.

Iqbal said it was a world of competition and every country has the right to vie for its own advantages.

Asked whether the government feels threatened by the growing interest of China in the Iranian corridor, Ahsan Iqbal said that Pakistan does not feel threatened by Chabahar Port.

“Look, Gwadar provides the best solution to trade ambitions of China. But we have to resolve our problems very fast. Our politicians need to understand that if we keep fighting on shares, entire Pakistan can lose the benefits of CPEC,” he added.

Asked whether there were any chances that China might scrap CPEC for Chabahar, Ahsan Iqbal said China was a time-tested friend and it would never leave Pakistan in the lurch.

“The Chinese government would never leave Pakistan. But if we don’t resolve our differences, Chinese investors might opt for other countries rather than investing in Pakistan,” he added.

Tong Liang, a Chinese journalist based in Islamabad and covering the CPEC, was also of the opinion that there is no alternative to CPEC for Chinese government.

‎”Without any claim of authority as representing a Chinese official, I believe that no alternative of CPEC can be found. CPEC is not a transit corridor that can be replaced by any route that reaches the sea, it is an economic corridor that aims at boosting Pakistan’s development as a modern and industrialised country,” Tong said.

http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/201...de-route-with-iran-as-pak-leadership-bickers/

All Pakistani members and Chinese members!!! Your thoughts on this??? Not trying to influence any of your say but in my opinion, Iran can never be true friend of Pakistan...if others can tag some senior members on this thread, it would be very kind of them so that we can have their opinion on this

First its up to our politicians how serious they are, otherwise China has money they can weigh other options too. In business world every day counts. But, China need Pakistan to do trading with Iran. Because Pakistan is safest and shortest passage for China . And its open " all seasons ".

 

[PaklovesTurkiye]

First its up to our politicians how serious they are, otherwise China has money they can weigh other options too. In business world every day counts. But, China need Pakistan to do trading with Iran. Because Pakistan is safest and shortest passage for China . And its open " all seasons ".

Everyone including politicians are ready now....no one is arguing....western route is almost completed. Remaining are in line and progress is being made.

http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2016/01/30/business/dar-reviews-progress-of-ongoing-cpec-projects/

http://www.thenews.com.pk/print/94770-China-Pakistan-to-create-e-corridorto-supplement-CPEC-project

 

[Talwar e Pakistan]

obviously the route will have to go through multiple countries, but I wouldn't see this as a negative. this means China can built inroads into these countries!! economically and politically.

Impossible route, too mountainous. In Pakistan, it would only have to go through Karakoram mountains and then reach a nice and smooth highway down to Gwadar. The deal is already done, around 5-10 billion dollars have already been spent; If China wanted a more 'safe route' it might as well have gone through India or Iran before it signed the deal with Pakistan.

 

[Ind4Ever]

Refulling stations for what?and why are they biulding roads and EEZ all the way to china?they could just invest in Gawadar port if they wanted what you are saying,lungian.

Dude its a figure of speech. He ment lots more things will be going on at Iran's port like main road than through Pakistan or Myanmar...

 

[krash]

risk vs reward.

i would say either route is a risky venture.

but I think with Iran backing China would get things done more quickly and without the political distractions they would get with Pakistan.

Would you also care to elaborate on the CPEC risks Vs "Alternate route" risks and the CPEC rewards Vs "Alternate route" rewards?

With your alternative route China will be dealing with 4 times the distance, political distractions from 4 different countries (none of whom are as pro-China as Pakistan is) and, God knows, how much added costs.

Pakistan's blocking of Nato's route and the resulting cost increases (fuel) and supply shortages (diapers, food, etc.) suffered by the coalition forces in Afghanistan would make a good case study for you to understand what your proposed alternative route holds vis-a-vis CPEC.

you are right,Chinese (and Iranians too ! )are smart people they only care about $$$. just like last time they are bypassing Indus Region for Iran.

Historical Silk Road :

New Age Silk Road :

@Providence

You have already built the alternate route and started masturbating to it. Do you see the added cost (fixed and running) on that alternate route? Homework for you: Think about what China's main goal is with regards to CPEC, then try to realize how the classic silk route would destroy that aim. But the funny bit is that your own map shows CPEC as the main route.

@C130 other maps, of same roads.

Do you know the purpose of that proposed route? Does it have anything to do with what the CPEC is for? Would you like to read on it?

http://www.china-briefing.com/news/2015/01/15/chinas-proposed-new-silk-road-free-trade-area.html

not sure why CPEC is not mentioned in this map.

Why no cpec route mentioned?

Maybe because that map is of the routes assumed to have been in use in Babylonian times (literally)? Only a few thousand years ago? You know, the times when people could not cross the Karakoram mountains into the then Indus Valley? Wonder why it doesn't show CPEC in it.....

http://archive.silkroadproject.org/tabid/177/defaul.aspx

Cmon, you can surely do better than these pathetic attempts....

But what China gains if it can operate gwadar port? Literally short cut trade route avoiding Indian ocean and Indian Navy's might.

That must be some special tea you've been drinking.....

That short cut trade route is the primary aim of China with regards to CPEC. Bypassing Pakistan not only involves far greater risks for China but also increases the fixed and running costs of the route many-folds, which completely defeats the purpose of building a new trade corridor.

Do you know the optimal route connecting China with Chabahar? It's CPEC

And now by avoiding controversial trade route through un settled disputed territory China could gain more trust from India and creating soft power globally.

China didn't care jack-squat about Indian "claims" on Gilgit-Baltistan when they first helped us build that route nor do they now having expanded it only a couple of years ago for CPEC. And this was despite all the Indian hue and cry.

If this new deal goes through I must say China has played its card very well . Iran Afghanistan the next huge market for both India and China.

This alternative route is the stupidest idea if there ever was such a thing. The economic trade-off alone between the two is hilarious. Guess which route is the safest and the most economical for China to trade with Afghanistan and/or Iran?

I think China will build roads into Pakistan and use to trade with Pakistan alone . As Chabahar port would undo all profits gained I'm gwadar port . India can easily check mate Chinese ambition in central Asia with Iran and Afghanistan .

I was wrong. This is the stupidest idea ever. So your saying that China would build roads and infrastructure all across Pakistan, spending billions of dollars, right till the doorstep of the middle east and then leave it just like that only to then build another route 4 to 5 times longer, many more times costlier and even more riskier, to trade with the middle east? Bravo....Chabahar Vs Gawadar will give China a 4:1 cost at the very least. "Undo all the profits gained in gawadar"

Furthermore China is already well set in Central Asia, it is only an Indian wet dream that anyone can displace them from there.

Why not

HAHAHAHAHA that cracked me up!

Refulling stations for what?and why are they biulding roads and EEZ all the way to china?they could just invest in Gawadar port if they wanted what you are saying,lungian.

You do know that you're arguing with a person who a) has no idea what he's talking about and/or b) is desperately trying to sooth his anxiety over the CPEC's inevitable success.


On Topic:

The optimal route (some would argue the only feasible route) that China has to Chabahar/Iran is through Pakistan. It provides both China and Iran the safest, fastest, politically dependable and most economical trade route possible. So wish all you must, even if China for some completely ludicrous reason does shift from Gawadar to Chabahar all the trade will still be flowing through Pakistan.

While CPEC's main goal is to drastically reduce China's trade cost and time with the Middle East and Europe its secondary aim would see it bring the Afghan and Iranian markets to China's doorstep. The tertiary aim would then see the CPEC provide the landlocked Central Asian states (already connected to the KKH) the fastest, safest and most economical route to warm waters transforming the route itself into an economically profitable venture for both Pakistan and China. Then there's that little quaternary aim that will see the route strengthening the economy of China's strongest strategic and military ally in the world. It's natural and inevitable.

Add to all that the fact that 50% of the required infrastructure (road, rail, etc.) already existed in Pakistan even before the announcement of CPEC, then the fact that since the route's announcement billions have already been spent and are being spent on it and lastly the fact that Pakistan and China hold a degree of trust spawning from decades in pursuit of overwhelming mutual strategic goals that no other country on any other alternate route can match (the trust and the mutual strategic goals) and you just might be able to understand that there is no other possible route for China. The non-CPEC related Chinese investments in Pakistan alone show how heavily China is invested in Pakistan and won't be backing away any time soon.

 

[RoadRunner401]

Mian Abrar and Pakistan Today, spreading false news!!!!!!!!!!!!

Below is the same news taken from diffrent news outlet.

TEHRAN, Iran — Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Saturday hailed a “new chapter” in relations with China after talks with President Xi Jinping, who is touring the region to boost Beijing’s economic influence.

The Asian giant and the Middle East’s foremost Shiite power aim to build economic ties worth up to $600 billion within the next 10 years, Rouhani announced.

The two leaders oversaw the signing of 17 agreements in areas including politics, the economy, security and cooperation on peaceful nuclear energy.

“With the Chinese president’s visit to Tehran and our agreements, a new chapter has begun in Tehran-Beijing relations,” Rouhani said in a televised speech, flanked by Xi.

“China has always stood by the side of the Iranian nation during hard days,” Rouhani said, in comments posted on his official website.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has the final say on all state matters, told Jinping later Saturday that Iran will continue its policy of bolstering ties with the “East.” He praised China’s “independent” stance in global issues, saying it helps deepen strategic ties with Tehran.

“Westerners have never obtained the trust of the Iranian nation,” he said. “The government and nation of Iran have always sought expanding relations with independent and trustful countries like China.”

Khamenei said Iran won’t forget China’s support at the time of sanctions.

“The Islamic Republic will never forget China’s cooperation during the sanctions era,” state TV quoted Khamenei as saying.

It is the first visit to Iran by a Chinese president in 14 years, according to state news agency IRNA, and comes just days after sanctions against Tehran were lifted under a historic nuclear deal with world powers.

“Iran is China’s major partner in the Middle East and the two countries have chosen to boost bilateral relations,” IRNA quoted Xi as saying.

“China and Iran are two important developing countries that must continue regional and international cooperation,” Xi added.

Beijing has long taken a backseat to other diplomatic players in the Middle East but analysts say the region is crucial to Xi’s signature foreign policy initiative — known as “One Belt One Road” — touted as a revival of ancient Silk Road trade routes.

China, the world’s second-largest economy, also relies heavily on energy imports from the Middle East.

Beijing is Tehran’s top customer for oil exports, which in recent years were hit by US and EU sanctions over Tehran’s nuclear programme.

Trade between the two countries was worth $52 billion in 2014. They did not give details of their goal of developing relations worth $600 billion over the next decade.

According to Iranian media, more than a third of Iran’s foreign trade is carried out with China.

‘Constructive role’
The two presidents issued a joint statement outlining a long-term “comprehensive strategic partnership”.

The two countries agreed to enhance cooperation including in fossil and renewable energy, transportation, railways, ports, industry, commerce and services, said the statement, published by Mehr news agency.

China has committed to “invest and finance upstream and downstream energy projects in Iran,” it said.

China “acknowledges Iran’s constructive role in the fight against terrorism and maintaining peace and stability in the region,” it added, while supporting Tehran’s increased role in regional and international affairs.

China, along with the United States, Britain, France, Germany and Russia, was among the countries that reached the agreement with Iran in July to curtail its nuclear activities in exchange for ending international sanctions.

Xi, accompanied by three deputy prime ministers and six ministers, also brought with him a large business delegation.

Xi’s tour, his first of the Middle East as Chinese president, has also taken him to Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

Riyadh and a number of Sunni Arab allies broke diplomatic ties with Iran this month after protesters angry over the execution of a prominent Shiite cleric ransacked Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran.

In Cairo, Xi offered $55 billion in loans and investments to the Middle East, a region where China wants to strengthen its economic presence

http://www.timesofisrael.com/iran-china-vow-tighter-ties-as-president-xi-jinping-visits/

No such offers was offered to visiting Chinese president by the Iranians. Some Pakistani journalist also known as political appointee's creating false news to spread hatred. I wonder who is paying their bills?

 

[Rocky rock]

Well we should really concern about that. we shouldn't ignore this warning. CPEC must be controlled by Federal Government and we should stop filling our bellies and not let other die with thrust. PM should consider it beneficial for whole Country not only for "Punjab" and should work hard to make it Done ASAP!

 

[Passionaire]

I want China to run both Chabahar and Gwadar port; oust India from Iran. Iran should join CPEC with Chabahar port.

 

[Desert Fox]

Why not

I think that's a much more convenient route than the other two .