China sees global role for Pakistan

BEIJING:

China is foreseeing an even greater role for Pakistan in international and regional affairs and is ready to help Islamabad achieve that goal, a senior Chinese official said, as both countries renewed their commitment to security and economic cooperation in the wake of shifting power dynamics in South Asia.

Chen Wei, counsellor of the Department of Asian Affairs of the Foreign Ministry of China told a visiting Pakistani delegation in Beijing that China would stand firmly with Pakistan to safeguard its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity and support its efforts to play a bigger and greater role in regional and global affairs.

The renewed emphasis on strategic ties follows a dramatic turn earlier this year when India launched a military operation against Pakistan in May. The offensive, which analysts say has altered the region's security order, ended with Pakistan repelling the assault using Chinese-made missiles and fighter jets. At least six Indian aircraft, including Rafale jets, were destroyed in the confrontation.

Wei said China's position during the conflict reflected the nature of the partnership. "As a good neighbour, friend and partner, we will continue to support Pakistan in maintaining stability and prosperity in South Asia," he noted, adding that Beijing encourages both Pakistan and India to pursue dialogue to avoid further confrontation.

While security ties remain at the forefront, both sides are also moving to consolidate economic cooperation. Wei pointed to the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as a "high-quality stage of development," with special focus on Punjab, where many of the corridor's early projects were completed. "Punjab has governance and security advantages, and we are ready to deepen cooperation there and also in the rest of Pakistan for higher-quality CPEC projects," he said.

Chinese officials stressed that development and security are mutually reinforcing, and urged Pakistan to step up protection of Chinese personnel and companies working on projects. "A lot of Chinese want to invest in Pakistan, including in Punjab and Balochistan, but security remains their biggest concern," Wei told the delegation. "We always encourage our people to invest in Pakistan, and we will continue this support if a safe environment is ensured."

Beyond bilateral ties, China is pushing to integrate more regional players into cooperative frameworks, at a time when the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) has largely stalled. Wei said Beijing recently hosted a tri-national meeting with Pakistan and Bangladesh, and is encouraging Nepal, Sri Lanka and the Maldives to participate in future initiatives.