Pakistan — China Relations
A strong factor of regional and global stability in the Asian century
By Makhdoom Babar
(President & Editor-in-Chief)

It is now a generally accepted fact that the 21st century will be the Asian century. This will be so because of China's peaceful rise both in the regional and global context as well as the trust, support and cooperation it enjoys from friendly countries like Pakistan.
Pakistan and China friendship has remained steadfast irrespective of the domestic circumstances and external exigencies faced by the two countries over the last 55 years. This friendship is based on the five cardinal principles of peaceful co-existence, which have served the best interests of our two countries and provided an anchor for peace and stability in the region, helping to promote international understanding and amity. The two countries have joint commitment to fight the three evils of terrorism, extremism and separatism.
China today is the fore-runner in the global economic development; proving its worthiness as a stabilizing factor in the past Asian economic crisis particularly in East Asia. The people of Pakistan are happy over China's rising and impressive economic development. The wise leadership of China and its hard working people deserve full credit for it. There is a further need for China's economic engagement in South-west Asia similar to its economic and commercial role across Asia-Pacific. China has a unique position as it neighbours all sub-regions of Asia. Integration of China's economy with those of the Asian sub-regions will bring great benefit and opportunity to the entire continent. China can break new ground for new trade relations that would be consistent with its great moral ethos of support to the Third World and developing countries.
China's political stability is an assurance of stability in Asia. China has eschewed domination and rejects hegemony and is committed to promotion of a peaceful environment in its neighbourhood. Pakistan was among the first to have concluded border settlement agreement with China. Regional economic integration has acquired a great significance in the current era. The success of European Union inspired other regions and in Asia and ASEAN has done pretty well. Pakistan is a Dialogue Partner of ASEAN and a member of ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF). Pakistan is an Observer of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and fully ascribes to its goals and objectives. It is expecting to become SCO's full member in future. In South Asia the SAARC process has been put back on track with the successful Summit meeting held in Islamabad due to Pakistan's efforts in January 2004. Pakistan was instrumental in getting Observer status of SAARC to China. Pakistan has the added advantage of being a founding member of the ECO whose membership also includes Iran, Turkey and Central Asian Republics. Thus it can play as a linchpin between the regional organizations, which would also be of benefit to China owing to our close friendly relations.
Pakistan's strategic location on the Arabian Sea provides an ideal location for routing Chinese and Central Asian exports to the Middle East. While the use of Pakistani route would reduce sea passage for Chinese exports it would provide much needed sea access to the landlocked Central Asian countries. With the commissioning of Gwadar seaport Pakistan would prove a real gateway to the Middle East, Africa and Europe.
Important infrastructure projects and proposals for promotion of economic activity and trade are in hand. These include road linkages from Central Asia through to Pakistan. Gas pipelines from Central Asia and Iran to Pakistan and to India. Within the framework of SAARC and ECO, member countries are working on preferential trade arrangements leading to free trade. The future of economic cooperation in our region is bright.
Pakistan accords the highest priority to economic development. With sustained efforts and sound management, it has succeeded in turning the corner making a strong recovery over the past five years. Reforms have been introduced to revitalize democratic and administrative machinery in the country to ensure good governance. Its effort is to make public institutions an instrument of growth rather than stagnation, decay and inertia. The local government institutions have been strengthened to take decision-making process in the hands of elected representatives at the grass-root level and the accountability process has been strengthened.
At the same time the government is focused towards socio-economic development with particular emphasis on education, mitigating extremism and combating menace of terrorism. The international community has been highly appreciative of Pakistan's role in the international fight against terrorism. President Musharraf's new vision of enlightened moderation calls to bridge the perceptional misunderstandings and misconceptions existing between the Muslim world and the West. The Western nations need to help resolution of long standing problems such as Palestine and Kashmir to remove these continuing sources of so much pain especially to the Islamic world. Simultaneously, President Musharraf has called upon Islamic nations to do more to reject extremism and intolerance and promote literacy and development that is lacking in many Islamic societies. OIC is also working on the theme of "Enlightened Moderation" now.
The robust economic policies followed by the government have already started to show results. Foreign exchange reserves and exports touched a record level and the trend is continuing. Due to good macro-economic performance we no longer face any liquidity problem. All macro-indicators are positive and upbeat.
Pakistan-China close friendly cooperation has contributed to promoting international understanding and building bridges. Pakistan became the conduit of communication between China and the United States many years back. China helped Pakistan forge better relations with Russia and has supported dialogue and helped reduction of tension in South Asia. The Joint Declaration on Cooperation and the Friendship Treaty between the two countries has further channeled the exception depth of relations between the two countries which has grown from strength to strength with every passing day. Thus friendly relations between Pakistan and China have become an indispensable factor of peace and stability in the region and the world.