The proximity between Pakistan and China seems to be increasing with every passing week as Islamabad is opening every door for China, banking on the projects under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the flagship project of the Belt and Road Initiation (BRI) for its economic and financial revival.
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, during his recent meeting with a Chinese delegation of investors, businessmen and corporate sector officials, called on Chinese entrepreneurs to set up their regional offices in Pakistan.
“Chinese business houses should establish their regional offices in Pakistan,” said Khan, adding that “Pakistan accorded great importance to strengthening its relations with China.”
“Strengthening of business-to-business ties for the people of the two countries is a foremost priority,” he insisted, adding that Pakistan assures the Chinese investors of all possible facilitation for business development and progress.
The 10-member Chinese delegation comprises of representatives from companies undertaking business ventures in critical sectors including energy, communication, agriculture, science and technology and financial and industrial sectors.
Companies including Power Construction Corporation of China (Power China), China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), China Gezhouba (Group) Pakistan, China Three Gorges South Asia Investment Company Ltd, China Railway Group Limited, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, China Machinery Engineering Corporation and China Mobile Pakistan Limited were present in the meeting along with the Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan, Yao Jing.
“Various reforms introduced at policy and implementation level have enhanced the confidence of the Chinese business community and Pakistan is being looked at as a major partner in development in the post Covid-19 environment,” said Yao Jing. “China sees Pakistan as an emerging hub of trade,” he added.
It is becoming evidently clear that Pakistan is banking on China to revive its crippled economic condition through cooperation in projects and initiatives in almost all crucial sectors.
“Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts at the global stage have suffered because of its weak economic condition. But with China’s increased interest in the country and boost in economic cooperation, Pakistan will definitely be in a much stronger position to put its case forward on various issues like Kashmir for the global powers to listen. And that will be possible only when the country is stable financially and economically. And that will happen with the help and support of China of course,” said strategic and political expert Javed Siddique.