With advent of Russia: CPEC a ‘scenario-changer’ for South Asia, say speakers

Chinese experts suggest emerging ties between Pakistan, China and Russia can be a defining development


Our Correspondent March 06, 2017
Chinese experts suggest emerging ties between Pakistan, China and Russia can be a defining development. PHOTO: FILE

ISLAMABAD: The multibillion dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) should not be allowed to be used as a political card, rather it should be seen and projected as a means of economic growth for the two countries involved and the region.

This was stated by experts from the two countries during a roundtable on “Trump’s South Asia Policy: Quadrilateral interaction between Pakistan, China, India and USA and Challenges to CPEC”.

The roundtable had been organised by the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) recently.

Chinese experts suggested that emerging relations between Pakistan, China and Russia could be a defining development for the region’s bright future as they termed CPEC a ‘scenario-changer’ for South Asia, rather than just a ‘game-changer’.

Hu Shisheng, the director of the South, Southeast Asian and Oceanic Studies at China Institutes of Contemporary Inter­na­tional Relations (CICIR) – a research institute for international studies, overseen by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, said that while the Chinese dream of CPEC was fast becoming a reality, there was a need for transparency as well as of expectation management on all integral CPEC projects to ensure their smooth progress.

Lin Yiming, part of the three-member delegation from CICIR, showcased a presentation on the history of Pakistan-China relations. He stated that the relationship between the two countries, which was always built on deep-rooted trust and mutual respect, was only expected to become stronger with time especially after the advent of CPEC.

He believed that China’s stance and policy over Pakistan would remain equally amiable in the future.

Du Yanjun, the special assistant to CICIR President, said that an emerging nexus between Pakistan, China and Russia would be yet another important outcome of CPEC.

IPS Director General Khalid Rahman stressed the need for developing a business dispute settlement mechanism among Pakistan and Chinese stakeholders to make the process more transparent and inclusive.

“Patience and positive attitude are mandatory from both sides if they are to take this unique and precious relationship to a new level,” Rahman concluded.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 6th, 2017

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