dr.umer
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During President Musharrafs government, China for the first time allowed a Pakistani president access to one of its most advanced and secret military research facilities. His opponents accused him of being pro-American but China was his most frequently visited country both in office and during his military career. His successor, Gen. Kayani, went to China as his first official foreign visit. The Zardari government is hitched to America. But Pakistans future growth is linked to China. Make no mistake about this. Each and every patriotic Pakistani must demand that the current government should not succumb to U.S. pressure on Pakistan-China bilateral relations.
Why has China emerged as a global power to be reckoned with? Why is Pakistan's future growth linked to China?
Today China averages a GDP of 9.6 percent and 13 percent of the global income is from China. It is the world's fourth largest economy. It has had the largest poverty eradication program in history (402 million people out of poverty in 27 years). It has a demographic dividend and a current account surplus which is the West's envy. Its military expenditure in 2002 was $48 billion whilst that of six ASEAN states combined was $19 billion. These are only a few of the power indicators.
What has worked for China is the fact that it has pursued partnerships and not leaderships. Preserving regime security through economic growth has been the main priority for the Communist Party. Use of age-old philosophies such as those of Confucius, Menicus and Sun Tzu, has helped China create leadership status.
China has created confidence in its region through a unique great-power mentality (daguo xintai). Asian states, or the bamboo network, don't feel threatened by China. For sustained rise to global greatness, China will have to bring its per capita income to par with developed states, continue reaping demographic dividends, continue pursuing blue water navy dream subtly for energy conquests, manage its domestic democracy issues, continue aiming for Yuri Shkolenko ascent strategy in space, continue spending billions on modern combat aircrafts, and continue investing regionally. Its benign posturing will help it rise peacefully.
Whilst China grows exponentially, Pakistan must with singular focus piggyback on to this growth. Pakistan's relations with China have always boasted of K2 heights and Arabian Sea depth. It is expected that the current government will wake up from slumber, post an ambassador (six months late), manage security, economic, and defense relations in such a way that the achievements of President Musharraf and the PML are advanced, and not retarded.
On the security front, an immediate end to Chinese nationals' kidnappings, providing extra security to all Chinese in Pakistan and treating them as very special guests is time critical. Support on Tibet and condemnation of any Uygur hideouts in FATA needs to be continued, not shied away from.
On the economic and infrastructure project front we expect government to take forward the projects left by the PML government and create more opportunities with Chinese investors. The government must continue the railroad project planned along the KKH, keep encouraging companies like China mobile and expand the Haer Ruba special economic zone set up previously. It must execute past negotiated nuclear plants in Chashma and Karachi, execute power plant in Chichokimalian. It must execute smoothly the Neelum Jhelum project, the Thar coal Chinese investment, the Saindak Copper mines project, the Basha-Diamir potential Chinese assistance, the Gwadar port transformation into energy hub and much more. The past government's successful projects cannot be rolled back due to US diktat.
Pakistan-China defence relations must also be expanded. The PML's and President Musharraf's accomplishments on the JF Thunder and the Karokaram 8 trainer fighter, joint frigate program. It is noteworthy that whilst the government has been slow to advance on these goals the Chinese have supported us on our position on the Nuclear Suppliers' Group issue.
China's progress towards great-power leadership is undoubtedly a mega event in recent international politics. Each and every patriotic Pakistan must demand that the current government should not succumb to U.S. pressure on Pakistan-China bilateral relations. We must insist that the government should take past successes in this relationship forward, whether on the political, defense or economic side. The government must start taking ownership of security issues of Chinese nationals. This relationship is worth many short term flings with the West whose intentions are most suspect in terms of control of Pakistan's assets. China on the other hand has always respected Pakistan's sovereignty and contributed to its growth.
Our common Asian values must be further cemented and not dented on the diktat of encirclement powers. Diplomatic faux pas including the postponement of high level visits (amongst many other insensitivities) committed by the current government must be stopped. After all, it's a question of nurturing the relationship between two peoples which in President Hu Jintao's words is "sweeter than honey."
The writer is a PMLQ MNA Marvi Memon
