China confirms takeover of Gwadar port: Report

China may convert the port into an oil pipeline hub to augment its energy supplies from the Gulf.


Web Desk September 04, 2012

China tacitly confirmed reports of taking operational control of Gwadar deep-water port from Singapore’s PSA International, reported news agency Press Trust of India on Tuesday.

According to the PTI report, China may convert the port into an oil pipeline hub to augment its energy supplies from the Gulf.

The report quoted China Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hong Lei as saying, “China and Pakistan are neighbours of traditional friendship. Over the years, China and Pakistan have engaged in wide-ranging cooperation in all fields including infrastructure construction with a view to helping Pakistan improve people’s well-being and promote social and economic development.”

Earlier, Minister of Ports and Shipping Babar Ghauri said in an interview that Pakistan had reached an agreement with PSA where they have decided to leave the port and discussions on a possible Chinese investor were underway.

Pakistan Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf is also due to visit China to attend the World Economic Forum 2012 in September. During the visit, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabo is expected to hold talks with Ashraf, the report stated.

Gwadar, built with a loan from China, is close to the Pakistan-Iran border and the Strait of Hormuz, through which much of the Gulf’s oil exports are carried by ship to international markets.

COMMENTS (136)

Hassaan Bin Tariq | 11 years ago | Reply

This is GOOD NEWS for Pakistan,China,Iran,Middle East & even Asia in the long run. I'm disappointed by the attitude of our Indian friends. I don't know why they are so annoyed. If it's good for the region it's good for India too, don't they realize that? It's about time Asian Countries ignore their differences & work together. Look at the E.U. (European Union) the Germans & French were enemies in World War 1 & 2. Even now they don't like each other much. The Germans hate French cars & the French hate German food. But they realize they have to work together for the greater good of both. We on the other hand were like brothers, we share the same language,the same food & even the same music. Why can't we cooperate with each other like we used to. Haven't we learned a lesson after 3 Wars. If we keep on fighting each other & destabilizing the region only our enemies will benefit. That's hardly intelligent behavior. We should work together for Peace,Prosperity & to defend the subcontinent from it's REAL ENEMIES.

Najeeb | 11 years ago | Reply

I have read comments, very sad no one understood the issue. It's not the issue of sovereignty , it's just operational contract. The Dibai port company won many contracts in North Smerica and Europe. Prior to Chinese company, a Singapore company was operating the port. The sovereign remains with Pakistan. Many operations at Indian airports are being performed by non Indian firms. Pl take it in right perspective

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