Pakistan, China urged to keep eye on regional conflicts

Speakers say geopolitical pursuits likely to hit CPEC project in case of negligence

ISLAMABAD:

Speakers at a webinar urged the governments and other stakeholders to come up with a Pak-China plus movement to combat the challenges emerging from the regional conflicts.

They said that the geopolitical pursuits are likely to hit China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) if cohesive and corrective measures are not taken. They said that the intensifying cold war strategies and increasing interest of the US, UK and NATO countries in the extended region may hamper the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and CPEC, a very aggressive rail and road connectivity and trade regime of President Xi Jinping.

They said that an outline of the changing global scenario is fast emerging after the abrupt withdrawal of the US troops from Afghanistan. They said that the ever-increasing US and NATO deep engagement in the Russia-Ukraine war has set a red alert for the future economic growth and connectivity, further adding to the miseries of the extended region. They said that a seismic shift to the Indo-Pacific region at large in the evolving world order could not be ruled out.

Development Communications Network (Devcom-Pakistan), DTN and Friends of China organised the webinar on the subject “Where CPEC stands in the emerging global scenario?” on Saturday. Centre for China and Globalisation (Beijing) Vice President Prof Victor Gao said highly coordinated efforts are being made by the so-called superpower to put the region on fire. The Russia-Ukraine way is likely to hit the region badly. The lives and livelihoods of billions of people in the region are at stake. All the stakeholders and countries need to have a consolidated approach toward solutions. China will not compromise on any threat to any part of land, economic and strategic interests.

He urged both the governments to launch the Pak-China plus movement for the CPEC 2.0 along with the joint information technology solutions and software development engaging the youth of Pakistan.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 30^th, 2022.