China proposes anti-terror tie-up

CPEC poised to get a boost after Beijing again conveyed its willingness to kick-start it, government sources say.

ISLAMABAD:

China has shared several proposals, including an anti-terrorism cooperation agreement and a joint security company, amid a renewed interest in deepening economic relations under the second phase of the CPEC.

The multibillion dollar corridor project is poised to get a boost after Beijing again conveyed its willingness to kick-start it, government sources told The Express Tribune.

As part of the plan, China has also proposed to include nearly two dozen leftover projects of Phase-I in the Phase-II of CPEC. The projects are related to railways, road infrastructure, LNG terminals, copper mines, hydropower and special economic zones.

Both sides may sign an agreement on anti-terrorism cooperation to address Chinese security concerns, said the sources.

During Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's visit to Beijing, both sides had reiterated their commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations with "zero tolerance" attitude, and agreed to further strengthen cooperation in counterterrorism and security through a comprehensive approach, according to the joint statement issues after the visit.

The sources said that China has also proposed to establish a joint company to ensure the security of its citizens already working in Pakistan or will be engaged during CPEC Phase-II.

Under Phase-I, both sides have completed 38 projects worth $25.2 billion. Of these, 17 projects valued at $18 billion were completed in the energy sector. About 26 projects worth $26.8 billion are in the pipeline and many of those have been included in CPEC Phase II.

China has also proposed that a vehicle-mounted mobile securing equipment project should also be included in Phase-II besides undertaking a project on ballistic protective vehicles.

Chinese authorities are willing to cooperate in the areas of infrastructure, energy and minerals, industrial development, science and technology, safety and security, small livelihood assistance, people to people exchange and digital economy.

Beijing has also proposed a cooperation mechanism between the two governments so that the implementation of CPEC projects remains smooth during Phase-II. Chinese authorities have proposed a CPEC joint commission in this regard.

A Pakistani delegation is leaving for Beijing next week to participate in the Global Transport Forum scheduled for September 26 and to also sort out issues hampering the initiation of work on the Phase-I of the nearly $7 billion Mainline-I project of CPEC, according to the government sources.

China has included completion of ML-I, Karachi Circular Railway, Karakoram Highway (Thakot-Raikot) section, technical support for New Gwadar International Airport, second phase of the Eastbay Expressway, reconstruction of the N-50 highway, submarine cable construction project, deepening of the Gwadar port and development of the Gwadar free zone as part of CPEC, Phase-II.

In the energy sector, China has proposed GEIP LNG Terminal project, National Refinery up-gradation and extension project, Suki Kinari hydropower project and Siyadiq copper project.

In the industrial development, China is willing to consider further development of the Dhabeji Special Economic Zone, The Rashakai Industrial Park Project, Omara port ship repair project, Buffalo breeding and dairy processing project, and pepper cultivation demonstration and extension project.

It has also proposed a framework agreement on industrial cooperation between China and Pakistan. The construction of the China-Pakistan Earth Science Research project is also included in CPEC, Phase-II. Beijing has also proposed many small-scale projects in the social sector, many of those will be funded through grants.