BEIJING:
Revival of the ancient Silk Route can benefit Pakistan’s ailing economy, if the country upgrades its infrastructure along modern lines, says a Chinese minister.
“The Silk Route was a famous trade route in the ancient times. This proves that we have a long history of trade. Nowadays, the form of trade has changed. It needs to be developed along modern lines. I hope that this can benefit Pakistan’s economic development,” Ai Ping, Chinese Vice-Minister of the International Department Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party (CPC), told The Express Tribune in an exclusive interview.
Ai shared his personal views about the issues faced by Pakistan, its relationship with China and emphasised on improving trade relations to strengthen the entire region.
After development of its eastern side, China is now focusing on developing its western region by investing billions of dollars. Chinese authorities said the western parts, particularly Xinjiang that borders Pakistan, will be the focus of development. The area is being linked with the rest of the country through state-of-the-art communication networks.
In a recent article, Pakistan’s Ambassador in Beijing Masood Khan said Pakistan can turn into the most important westward artery for China’s exports, as it builds a Eurasian bridge. Pakistan’s ports can shrink distances between China, the Middle East and Africa.
However, Ai said Pakistan can benefit by upgrading its airports, highways, railway networks and ports and the two countries can cooperate to not only help boost Pakistan’s economy but also open new vistas of cooperation, including power generation, between the two countries, he added.
He hoped that after the pullout of US-led Nato forces from Afghanistan, there will be chances of bringing peace to the war-torn country and improving economic cooperation. According to analysts, Pakistan might lose important US aid following the withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan, but it is possible to turn the region into a peaceful commercial hub for transcontinental trade — reminiscent of the ancient Silk Route. On the reported complaints against extremists using terrorist bases on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border for training to create disturbances in China, Ai claimed that there is a general impression in China that Pakistan has been very supportive in fighting extremists. However, he added there can be some elements that are beyond the Pakistan government’s control.
“Some people say this war on terror was imposed on Pakistan. My personal opinion is that Pakistan is a victim of terror attacks. Pakistani people and the government are fighting against these evils. Pakistan is entitled to more support in the fight against terrorists,” he claimed.
On the issue of Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline project and US opposition to it, Ai gave candid remarks. “I think now there are some arguments about tensions… Even US intelligence operatives so far are not sure whether Iran is trying to build nuclear weapons. I believe Iran has the right to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, so I do not know why this project is controversial,” he said. “But once again this is my personal opinion. I am not speaking on behalf of the Chinese government,” he added.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 30th, 2012.
COMMENTS (23)
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Pakistan is entitled to more support in the fight against terrorists,” he claimed.
Yes, like the billions in aid that China gives to us every year to support our fight against the terrorists??? Or is it coalition support funds that China has been paying for our cooperation in handing over every fellow muslim Uyghur we can find who strays across the border? Long Live Pakistan China Friendship!! Which by the way, like the Pakistan-China trade is completely uni-directional.
Why stop at Silk Road why not also upgrade GT road and link to India and Afghanistan side of GT road. Pakistan can get FREE upgrade of its road infrastructure in exchange for allowing India road connectivity to Afghanistan, Iran and beyond. India is already undertaking such a project in Iran. Ah it will be hard for policy makers to think out side the box and keep ADB, World Bank and IMF at bay. This will be a new sources of aid.
please govt don't lose this chance. we need economic development. china is our only true friend. we should help china most.it will help us too.
@True Mulsim Paki - Sorry to say but as beggers (which we have become) our choices are very limited and we are not in that bargaining position as you assume it to be. Pak needs china more than they need us so i am afraid but your wish list is too long to be practical.
And btw what do you need arms for. Thr is enough already wid each and every Pakistani. Situation is such that for the past 4 days your police can not enter a neighbourhood in Khi bocz of fierce resistence and arms these pple have
@Raw is War.: No one is stopping us from running own business .. if you think they have better products to sell to other countries then strive to make better and cheaper than theirs, if we can not do that we can at least tax any thing passing by when using our infrastructure.
@Hasan Awan: where you live dude! KKH will not connect China to Central Asia but Middle East. there is a dry port in the Pakistani bordering village of called SUST Dry Port where goods are off loaded and Pakistani trucks carry them forward.
@True Muslim Paki: your terms are ridiculous...business are never done on these lines. no country is providing charity to others. its always give and take in such relations.And whatever about Ulghur muslims, its china's internal matter and should be any body's concern.remember pakistan wants china most and not other way round.
Why doesn't China use Karachi port which is few hundred miles from Gawadar. The "great strategic importance" of Gawadar is a myth. And China already has border with Central Asia; why would it first enter Pakistan and Afghanistan to enter Central Asia?
Pakistan should not be told what is or what isn't in their interest.Or pakistan's friend real take pakistanis so dumb that they need telling about their own interst? China/Us/Saudi Arabia/UAE give us a break!
China wants to use our strategic position and we should OK it provided following terms are accepted by chinese:- 1. End oppression Uighur Muslims 2. Allow Pakistani`s a Visa free system to China to live & work in China. 3. Allow cultural, religion exchanges and no restriction on religious activities in China. 4. Build infrastructure in Pakistan free of cost. US gave huge amount aid but china has never done & pakistan has always supported china & gave land to china. 5. No Duties on imports from Pakistan into china. 6. Waive off all loans & provide arms. 7. China to take back all chinese involved in immoral in Pakistan like massage parlours etc. We should allow all other business but not these kinds of anti religious activities.
If the country upgrades its infrastructure along modern lines.....
We proud being a neighbour of Great China, and we Gilgit-Baltistan Peoples thanks to China to allow to enter into china with a Pass instead of Visa etc.
Already, a huge deficit is there between china and Pakistan trade volume. Opening of the route is a very lucrative segment of intra continental trade, recently China petroleum has secured big projects in Afghanistan and they are thinking of next 100 years. Now is the chance for Pakistani think tanks (If some body is there) to negotiate the tariffs and terms favorable to Pakistan keeping in view next 20 years at least. China has the option of Pamir route but it is detrimental to good going through out the year. The suggestion of making the roads or motor ways by foreign powers is always has draw backs as we have to sacrifice on tariffs which goes a long way. When some body will invest huge amount definitely it can either be profitable for investing party and never be good for us. First we should build the infrastructure and then invite others who are already in need on our terms.
Interesting interview and important for Pakiistan - but this is an interview only with ET, so how is the first and top most headline? Because of its importance or exclusivity
Yes, China is our best friend, We are proud to be friend of china, Long live Pak-China friendship
The article indicates how sold the rulers are to their US-centric position. The chinese seem to be begging for a route to gwadar, and we could play them off against the US. Indeed, a little political vision would indicate how critical Pakistan is to the current conflict between the US/China and Russia. Our rulers seem to be so occupied playing one political party against the other, but unable to play one the game at a higher level.
How? By supplying tea and samosas to passing truck drivers?
ask Chinese to build motorway till Gawadar as its in their advantage and US to build Khi - Peshawar.
There is no enemy or a friend in this world. If someone is helping you then they know they are benefiting in return. The Silk route will give China a transit route to Central Asia. Pakistan in return should see their interests and should not allow Chinese trucks to come in Pakistan rather we should establish Dry Ports in Bordering regions so that Chinese goods could be off loaded at borders and then Pakistani trucks and local men will be used for transport of goods and in this manner Pakistan could be benefit itself by local employment generation of thousands of people and engagement of local business community in transport of goods. It will be biggest mistake of Pakistan if we will open our borders to Chinese trucks without establishing Dry Ports as otherwise we will acts just a road who will collect Toll tax from Chinese and only Chinese will benefit from it.