China plans new economic zones in Xinjiang border towns
In a detailed policy outline posted on the central government's website (www.gov.cn), the State Council, or cabinet, aims to "basically complete" infrastructure for economic development zones (EDZ) at Kashgar and Khorgos.
Xinjiang is strategically vital to China, accounting for one-sixth of the country's land mass and rich in oil, gas, coal and other mineral resources. It borders Russia, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Mongolia, Kyrgystan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan and India, and is a politically sensitive region as many Uighurs, a Turkic-speaking Muslim people native to Xinjiang, resent Chinese controls on religion, culture and language.
Electronics, textiles, metallurgy and renewable energy manufacturing would be key areas for development in Kashgar, an oasis in south-western part of Xinjiang, the statement said, while Khorgos would focus on chemicals, farm products and pharmaceuticals.
"By 2020, the two economic zones would see a great leap in competitiveness in these industries and overall economic strength," the statement said. Khorgos, already an entry point of the landmark Turkmenistan-China natural gas pipeline, has also won government approval to become an import point for and automobiles.
The government also plans to encourage Chinese and international airlines to open new routes to neighbouring countries and speed up construction of rail lines linking Xinjiang with Uzbekistan and Pakistan, the statement said.
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I never said American foreign policy is good. How many Pakistanis or Muslims have protested against war on innocent Muslims (Iraq, Pakistan, Afghanistan)? It's the Americans and Europeans themselves who have taken out their largest protests in history, in favor of Muslims! How many Chinese came out? Americans and Europeans themselves are stuck in the grip of the policies, including foreign policy, of a small group of people called "The Illuminati". What you say is right, but entirely a different topic. What i said is that the Chinese people, as a whole, don't like the Pakistani people, as a whole, as a general trend, or as a preference, and so is their official policy. Their government is a people's government. They care for their people's tastes. Their people don't like Pakistanis. They like Americans/Europeans.
@Love China: Atleast China never harmed a Pakistani ever. How many Pakistanis have been killed because of America's war OF terror. How many Pakistanis have directly been killed by U.S. drone strikes. Please dont compare China Angel to Amreeka Devil.
FACT: During the Olympics in China few years ago the Chinese government issued a statement advising western tourists to apply for visa early for their own convenience to avoid delay, while they banned everyone from Pakistan for four months.
@skin taj:
the best lesson to teach your kids is that "In international relations, there is no friends, only interests!"
Having said that, you can add that at a people to people level, Chinese and Pakistanis do indeed view each other as friends.
Could some one write FACTS here rather then concocting stories......... I want to tell my children about CHINA...... So what should I tell them CHINA IS ACTUALLY FRIEND OF PAKISTAN OR NO !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@Faheem baig: take that in this way, china want pakistan to improve their economy and interests, that is china is using pakistan, but, don't trust, don't want pakistanis in their land, am i right? enjoy the difference between all weather friendship paper talks and reality.
@Love china,,,,Friend,i live in Hunza valley which is almost 100KM away from China border.To be honest ,China is a good friend of Pakistan and it has supported Pakistan in troubled times.You talked about visa problems,yes ofcourse getting visa for China has become difficult since the blasts occured in Kashgur few months back.China fears that the terrorists may enter China through Pakistan and could spoil their peace environment.At the same time,traders and business community have no problem in getting china visa.
I mostly agree with @Love China, Chinese discriminate a lot when it comes to Pakistanis.
@Farukh Khan: yaa, then every truth-speakers in pakistan are Nazio-Faiscist Terrorist Hindu Regime. :D
@Love China:
your comment is longer than the article :|
This Picture is a deception and propaganda stunt. Pakistan is Not the Only country that Borders that region of China. So, there should have been more hands shaking with Chinese hands. There are many Indians who hide behind Pakistani names and odd names or Western names to convince Pakistanis that China is their enemy. But this effort will fail like it always did. The no.1 enemy of Pakistan at present is the Nazio-Faiscist Terrorist Hindu Regime.
okay, what what thsi picture has to do with the whole article??
sounds interesting again the crocodile is stretching to eat the neighbors and its resources.
There is a lot of anti USA sentiment among Pakistanis. Most Pakistanis, including myself, LOVE CHINA! Let's keep aside emotions and analyze realistically. Despite USA's war on terror, they have never discriminated against Pakistanis as a whole, as a nation in their foreign policy. They could have used the war on terror excuse to do so many things against us. Could have blocked remittances of Pakistanis from USA to Pakistan, a pipeline that is keeping Pakistan ALIVE today! They could have blocked trade. They have never discriminated issuance of visas to Pakistanis as a general policy, rather they scrutinize each case on a case to case basis. They help disaster stricken areas of Pakistan on a regular basis, without any demands. Their only demand in their social sector aid is that the aid should reach the grassroots levels corruption free. Yes, in their military aid they have "do more" demands.
Now let's look at our best friend China. Pakistanis are the only people in the world who are not allowed to use their own border with China! Believe it or not, this is their official policy! Call or visit any Chinese Embassy or Consulate in Pakistan and find out for yourself!!!! Thousands of international tourists use the Pak China border to visit China, but ironically, Pakistanis themselves are not allowed.
Today, hundreds of thousands of expatriates from all over the world are working in China, except Pakistanis! China has a very discriminatory policy towards their "best friends", Pakistanis. They welcome their arch rivals the Americans not only to visit China but also to live and work there, by offering them easy hassle free visas, lucrative salaries and work benefits, including free accommodation and a free air ticket once a year.
It is a myth that visas for western countries are difficult for Pakistanis. Maybe they are, but Chinese visa is one of the most difficult for Pakistanis, the procedure is so cumbersome that many Pakistanis are just surprised when they visit the Chinese Embassy for the first time.