The politics of the China―Pakistan economic corridor

Abstract

China's presence in the Global South has increased dramatically over the course of a decade. The discourse of mutual benefit and non-intervention has attracted much attention in the developing world, which is now facing the consequences of Western interventions. However, the extent to which Chinese engagement in the developing world stays true to these principles needs to be evaluated in terms of its effects on the political economic structures of the host nations. This study analyses how China and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is interacting with the political and economic realities of Pakistan. Firstly, the study traces the history of regionalism in Pakistan and shows that over the years, the developmental mission of the central state has created deep-seated regionalism in Pakistan. The study shows that CPEC is deepening such cleavages. The regionalist forces have opposed the project in two broad ways: through demanding a greater share in the project or through completely rejecting the interventions. Secondly, the study analyses the lop-sided civil-military relations in Pakistan and concludes that Chinese engagement in Pakistan is leading to the military's tighter control of civilian and economic matters relating to CPEC.

Maritime trade in the Indian Ocean: value-focused thinking for BRI and CPEC by employing A’WOT hybrid technique

“…China is emerged as a major economic global power with its skilled manpower and leading trade role [20,21] go to energy projects including coal, solar, hydroelectric, liquefied natural gas and power transmission system [22]. The Chinese discourse of non-intervention and mutually beneficial policy [23] are attracting large numebr of investors in Pakistan (SC1 & SC4). Geographically, Pakistan has strategic significance for regional integration, through BRI and CPEC, from West and Central Asia including Russia, the Persian Gulf and the Middle East (SP1).…”

Pakistan in 2020

“…The CPEC is the largest component of China's Belt and Road Initiative, a massive infrastructure network designed to facilitate trade and China's geostrategic influence (Chatzky and McBride 2020). The agreement has been criticized in Pakistan for benefitting China while being exploitative of Pakistanis, especially marginalized groups such as those in Balochistan (Hameed 2018), and the PTI had sought to renegotiate some of its terms when it came into office in 2018 (Afzal 2020b). But the military establishment is firmly in favor of the CPEC, because it gives Pakistan a key external ally as well as providing benefits to the military, since it has a heavy financial stake and security role in CPEC projects and assets.…”

China – Pakistan economic corridor: a harbinger of economic prosperity and regional peace

“…Several parties have expressed severe concern regarding CPEC project. As Hameed (2018) disclosed that KPK government announced that CPEC project is not concerning the prioritization of Eastern route. They also passed a resolution in the opposition of any route shift.…”