There have been rumours circulating that China was not too keen on moving forward with further CPEC projects, mainly because of worries about the safety of its citizens and property in Pakistan.
Though official comments from both sides portrayed an air of normalcy, several media sources had intimated that not much of substance was done during the prime minister’s journey of China earlier this month, especially where the CPEC file was concerned.
However, China’s security concerns were clear even in official handouts. President Xi Jinping, for instance, expressed hope that Pakistan would “create a safe, stable and predictable business environment” that would “guarantee the safety of Chinese” personnel and projects during his meeting with Shehbaz Sharif. A Chinese official, speaking to our civil and military elite in Islamabad on Friday, conveyed this same message in an unusually straightforward way.
The Communist Party of China’s International Department Chief, Liu Jianchao, stated during a symposium that the security situation in Pakistan was “shaking the confidence of Chinese investors,” which was attended by officials of the country’s mainstream parties. In addition, he emphasised a “CPEC-friendly media environment,” urged for bettering the economic climate, and reaffirmed the importance of political stability.In the Chinese system, where the Communist Party is the state, it is safe to believe that the contents of the statement were approved by the highest authorities in Beijing, even though the message may have been given by a relatively mid-level official. Moreover, Beijing’s seriousness about security is demonstrated by the fact that Beijing selected a public platform to voice its concerns.
Pakistan’s governing class ought to be mindful of China’s worries, particularly in light of the fact that the nation desperately needs foreign investment. In response to the official’s assessment of a “CPEC-friendly media environment,” greater openness regarding the project’s long-term goals can resolve any confusion. Governments should both provide the public and media with the details of thePakistan must, in the meantime, eliminate the terrorist threat to Chinese and all other foreign initiatives in the nation. At the summit committee meeting on Saturday, the prime minister made hints about this. No foreign party will want to invest in this country if terrorist acts claim the lives of foreign workers and multimillion-dollar projects are the target.
Again, Pakistan is forced to enhance its performance in both domains in order to allay Chinese worries about a stable political and economic climate. Barriers must be removed and assistance for foreign investors must be provided.All local stakeholders must also promise to keep their end of agreements made with international parties and not sabotage them when governments change. Pakistan should only take the majority of China’s recommendations.
