On January 13, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson announced that Prime Minister Imran Khan would visit China to attend the opening ceremony of the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022. At a time when many western political forces are trying to politicise this sporting event, Pakistan’s prompt and clear stance of supporting Beijing Winter Olympics shows a critical attitude toward the politicisation of sports, and highlights the uniqueness of China-Pakistan relationship.
The China-Pakistan relationship is unique. Over the 70 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, the strategic friendship has been rock-solid despite the changing international situation. When facing various difficulties, both sides help each other at first hand. Since Imran Khan became Prime Minister in 2018, he has continued this good momentum and enriched the all-weather friendship between China and Pakistan, which is “higher than the mountains, deeper than the seas, and sweeter than honey”, firmly supported each other on issues regarding their respective core interests. After the Covid-19 outbreak, Pakistan’s President Arif Alvi visited China in March 2020, showing the world that China was a safe place and doing a good job in addressing the pandemic situation.
Moreover, when holding international events, both sides congratulate each other like relatives. In November 2018, soon after he became PM, Imran Khan attended the First China International Import Expo as the guest of honour to show his support. In April 2019, PM Imran attended the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF), and paid a visit to China in October the same year while attending the closing ceremony of the International Horticultural Exhibition 2019 in Beijing. It is fair to say that the leaders of both countries visit each other really like relatives.
The Covid outbreak has hampered the physical visits between China and Pakistan, but not the strategic friendship between the two countries. China has not only supported Pakistan to fight against the pandemic, but also overcome difficulties to timely complete a series of major projects under CPEC with joint efforts, providing a strong long-lasting impetus for Pakistan’s economic recovery and development after the pandemic.
The pandemic has intensified the strategic rivalry between the US and China. The Trump administration inaugurated a foreign policy of containment of China, and the subsequent Biden administration continued and intensified this rivalry with Beijing. In the process, Pakistan has repeatedly voiced its opposition to approaches that could lead the world back to group confrontation, by rejecting US pressure to set up military bases in Pakistan after its withdrawal from Afghanistan, and refusing to participate in the so-called Summit for Democracy cobbled together by the US. Pakistan made clear its desire to serve as a bridge that brings countries together. PM Imran understands pretty well the US foreign policy towards Pakistan, and believes that Pakistan will only be “considered useful” if it can help the US deal with the “mess” in Afghanistan. Moreover, he clearly pointed out, “I think that the Americans have decided that India is their strategic partner now, and I think that’s why there’s a different way of treating Pakistan now.”
The all-weather friendship between China and Pakistan went through thick and thin. It withstood the attacks done by some terrorist forces against Chinese personnel and projects. It also faced challenges posed by some Western media which always try to “sow discord” by quoting some “deviants” in Pakistan to amplify the negative comments about the bilateral friendship, and make many people beguiled due to lack of information. The New York Times recently published an article, pretending to be serious about cautioning Pakistan not to “put all its eggs in one basket”, and that CPEC entrapped the country. While the truth is that for the past 70 years or so, it has been the West, especially the US and the UK, that have entrapped Pakistan. They never think seriously on how to help Pakistan develop its economy.
Prime Minister Imran’s visit shows that despite different voices, his government’s choice is to further deepen China-Pakistan relations, which will remain rock-solid.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 3rd, 2022.
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