China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)

Foreign policy’s literal meaning involves the relation of a country with any other foreign country. This is considered as foreign policy’s definition. In my words, Foreign policy is “The policy adopted by a country regarding relations with any other country for its interest and benefit is called foreign policy.”

America wants relation with Pakistan because Pakistan has very close ties with the Afghan Taliban. In return, America rewards Pakistan with different loans or other things which we all know. For a moment, if America has nothing to do with the Afghan Taliban or different areas of interest in South East Asia, why will America reward Pakistan with loans?

So, hence proved there are always reasons, benefits, and interests between countries’ relationships that could be more apparent but have a significant outlook.

Let’s turn the whole story towards another region. China is the world’s largest country by population and is surrounded by fourteen neighbor’s which is a unique thing about China.

China’s Surroundings

The neighbors of China include:

• Pakistan

Pakistan, with which China has excellent relations, and most of its trade route is linked with the remaining world through Pakistan. Another important project under construction between these two countries is China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which has drained almost the attention of every nation.

• Afghanistan 

Afghanistan is a landlocked country, but because of Afghanistan’s anti-American policy, China is usually interested in good ties with Afghanistan.

• India

The most compelling reason between China and India raising tensions in the last few years is the disputed area of Aksai Chin and Tibet. Mostly, the armed forces of both countries remain engaged with each other. Although, they can’t open fire on each other due to a ceasefire agreement. So, the overall relationship between China and India could be better.

• Bhutan

 China is having a border dispute with Bhutan. The main issue is a plateau between India, China, and Bhutan. This plateau is known as Doklam Plateau. Moreover, India has a more significant influence on Bhutan’s policy, so that’s why China does not have good ties with Bhutan.

• Nepal

Nepal is vital to China, as it will allow China to reach Tibet (a disputed area between India and China). However, this is relatively less possible because Nepal is closer to India than China.

• Laos

The South China Sea dispute between Laos and China is an emerging issue, but according to both countries, this will not affect their relations. 

• Mongolia

According to China’s foreign policy, Mongolia is landlocked, so there is little to gain from Mongolia.

• Myanmar

Myanmar or Burma is facing trade restrictions, and China supports the rebels of north Myanmar against the center, so there is a lack of trust in China from the Myanmar side. 

• Vietnam

Although China and Vietnam have good trade relations, Vietnam has a more significant tilt toward the Soviet nations, which makes China a little hesitant towards Vietnam and begin to consider Vietnam as a threat to China.

• North Korea

North Korea predominantly suffers from cultivation, lodging, and other natural disasters. So, the relationship between China and North Korea is limited to Military Ties.

• Russia

The border between Russia and China ends upon River Tumen, the northern side of North Korea. So, due to China’s less influence on North Korea, it isn’t easy to link trade routes with Russia.

Moreover, China wants to expand its agricultural sector, and Russia needs more land for growing crops due to non-favorable conditions.

• Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan

All three mentioned countries are Central Asian Countries, and because of this, Russia has more significant influence over these countries. Although China has good relations with these countries, the basic necessity for these relations is the excellent relationship of China with Russia.

Why is China interested in Pakistan?

China’s geography is unsuitable for agriculture production, but China has to feed its most significant population globally. Luckily, the border China shares with Pakistan in northeast Pakistan is an area known as Xinjiang Province. It is suitable for developing agricultural products, especially Melons, Apples, and Grapes. As we all know, Pakistan is one of the largest agricultural countries in the world, and most of its economy depends upon the Agriculture sector. So, this will attract China if China wants to grow its agricultural sector.

China has only one commercial port in Shingai, to which the oil is transported by ships from the Persian Gulf. A long distance of around 16000 Kilometers is a significant hurdle for China. The ships spend months in water, exposing them to natural disasters, pirates, and other rivals while covering a longer distance. Using Gawadar Port will significantly reduce the length, which can also result in financial savage for China. Gawadar Port will be a nerve center for China to link it with other Western world.

Consequences For Pakistan

It is mainly taught that Pakistan will benefit from CPEC, but this is only sometimes true. Pakistan will have to face more consequences from this project. Let’s talk about these consequences with historical references.

• If we consider the economy of Pakistan, most of the contribution comes from the agriculture sector, which provides the raw material for various industries that also hold a significant portion of Pakistan’s economy. Pakistan’s industry will shut down entirely if China starts introducing its industrial products in Pakistan, and the local buyer or sellers will not prefer Pakistani products. So this will result in an industrial shutdown in Pakistan.
• The Pakistani government has to face American pressure as China is one of the main competitors of America. A situation may be built up for Pakistan in which Pakistan has to choose either China or America for its further foreign affairs.
• Pakistan’s elite class is always involved in the unequal distribution of power and resources between the provinces. It is expected that the region of Balochistan will not be given equal opportunities to benefit from CPEC. This will create a sense of revolt against Pakistan in Balochistan, which is already under Indian influence. So, Pakistan has a more significant opportunity to keep Balochistan by giving them equal opportunities in CPEC.
• China is investing significantly in Pakistan, resulting in job creation in Pakistan. However, it also has another side, where the loan burden on Pakistan will increase. Pakistan will be half sold to China for loan exchange.
• The latest news reported that China sent Naval Ships to Gawadar to protect its investment. If the acquisition of China is in Pakistan, then such an act from China shows dissatisfaction of the Chinese government with Pakistan’s Armed forces. It seems like China is trying to create a Naval Base in Pakistan, which will question the Military Sovereignty of Pakistan.
• Pakistani locals will be just workers in Chinese industries, creating a sense of inferiority complex. Like, how it feels when you work under someone’s command in your own country?
• The world will have an image of Pakistan, in which Gawadar will be entirely under Chinese control, which will evoke the creation of the East India Company during the Mughal Empire. The area around Gawadar will look like a reserved area for Chinese nationals, and that can cause a severe setback to Pakistan’s geographical location.

Pakistan has already lost East Pakistan while making way for China in the Western world. Now, we have to see what cost Pakistan has to pay for its step to link China’s trade with the Western world.