OrionHunter
ELITE MEMBER
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- May 28, 2011
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Islamabads betting on Beijing is a trademark of its foreign policy. However, on the calculus of common sense, relations between Pakistan and China are far lower in essence than what Islamabad defines as higher than the Himalayas.
Language
At the top of the list comes the LANGUAGE barrier. Out of the 180 million population of Pakistan less than a 1000 Pakistanis can speak Chinese! Despite claims of time tested relations, excluding a few lucky Chinese-understanding Pakistanis, not a single Pakistani knows what is the Chinese substitute for Welcome. Pakistanis general knowledge about China is hardly above zero. They know a lot about the U.S. though!
Education
China has never been a destination for EDUCATION among Pakistanis. Universities in the U.S., UK, Australia and Europe are the most desired education centers for Pakistani youth, irrespective of their social or financial class. Pakistani politicians and generals play a foul game with their nation while betting on Chinas power as none of their sons or daughters are graduates from a Chinese university. The irony is that even the son of a Pakistani politician, who runs a Pak-China think tank in Islamabad, is also studying in the U.S!!
Technology
Though it is not taught in Pakistans text books but individual experiences have proved Chinese technology as poor in quality, in Pakistan. The Made in China label on products other than weapons is hardly sell-able. It will injure the ego of a Pakistani if someone gifts him or her a Made in China product. Pakistanis may buy it themselves but will not accept it in gifts as they look down upon Chinese products from day one.
Financial dependency
China has never been a financial reliever for Pakistan on its economic canvass. Its rather Pakistans dependence on Washington's financial assistance, IMF and World Bank tranches that give bail-outs to a moribund Pak economy every now and then.
(China had refused to bail out Pakistan when it was in dire need of funds and instead had to run to the IMF for a loan of $7 billion which it received under strict conditionalities.)
Terrorism
China has suspicions that Islamabad provides ideological support and sanctuaries to separatist Uyghur Muslims of China. The leaders of Eastern Turkestan Movement (ETM) are freely moving around in Islamabad, using their offices and facilities for training radical Uyghurs in Waziristan and Afghanistan.
Chinese Investments
The CHINESE INVESTMENTS in energy, communication and ports (Gawadar) is of more worth for China than for Pakistan. China feels comfortable in its relations with India, having Pakistan as its reliable satellite state on Indias western and north-western wing.
Mullah, Military, and Media: Sino-Pak ties: a reality check
And whatever happened to that promised aid amounting to $200 million for flood relief in 2007? It has yet to materialize! And apart from lip service, what did China do to help Pakistan in 1965, 1971 and Kargil? Nix! Nada!
Sino-Pak trade is just about $14 billion after all these years. Compare this with India which has a roaring $70 billion trade with China, slated to reach $100 billion by 2015!
And yet, the 'friendship' is claimed to be 'higher than the mountains, deeper than the oceans, sweeter than honey and stronger than steel'!
Language
At the top of the list comes the LANGUAGE barrier. Out of the 180 million population of Pakistan less than a 1000 Pakistanis can speak Chinese! Despite claims of time tested relations, excluding a few lucky Chinese-understanding Pakistanis, not a single Pakistani knows what is the Chinese substitute for Welcome. Pakistanis general knowledge about China is hardly above zero. They know a lot about the U.S. though!
Education
China has never been a destination for EDUCATION among Pakistanis. Universities in the U.S., UK, Australia and Europe are the most desired education centers for Pakistani youth, irrespective of their social or financial class. Pakistani politicians and generals play a foul game with their nation while betting on Chinas power as none of their sons or daughters are graduates from a Chinese university. The irony is that even the son of a Pakistani politician, who runs a Pak-China think tank in Islamabad, is also studying in the U.S!!
Technology
Though it is not taught in Pakistans text books but individual experiences have proved Chinese technology as poor in quality, in Pakistan. The Made in China label on products other than weapons is hardly sell-able. It will injure the ego of a Pakistani if someone gifts him or her a Made in China product. Pakistanis may buy it themselves but will not accept it in gifts as they look down upon Chinese products from day one.
Financial dependency
China has never been a financial reliever for Pakistan on its economic canvass. Its rather Pakistans dependence on Washington's financial assistance, IMF and World Bank tranches that give bail-outs to a moribund Pak economy every now and then.
(China had refused to bail out Pakistan when it was in dire need of funds and instead had to run to the IMF for a loan of $7 billion which it received under strict conditionalities.)
Terrorism
China has suspicions that Islamabad provides ideological support and sanctuaries to separatist Uyghur Muslims of China. The leaders of Eastern Turkestan Movement (ETM) are freely moving around in Islamabad, using their offices and facilities for training radical Uyghurs in Waziristan and Afghanistan.
Chinese Investments
The CHINESE INVESTMENTS in energy, communication and ports (Gawadar) is of more worth for China than for Pakistan. China feels comfortable in its relations with India, having Pakistan as its reliable satellite state on Indias western and north-western wing.
Mullah, Military, and Media: Sino-Pak ties: a reality check
And whatever happened to that promised aid amounting to $200 million for flood relief in 2007? It has yet to materialize! And apart from lip service, what did China do to help Pakistan in 1965, 1971 and Kargil? Nix! Nada!
Sino-Pak trade is just about $14 billion after all these years. Compare this with India which has a roaring $70 billion trade with China, slated to reach $100 billion by 2015!
And yet, the 'friendship' is claimed to be 'higher than the mountains, deeper than the oceans, sweeter than honey and stronger than steel'!
