1. Agronomy Department, PMAS Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, Pakistan; muhammadrizwan3101@gmail.com
2. Dean of Social Sciences, PMAS-Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi Pakistan; drabdul.saboor@uaar.edu
3. Agronomy Department, PMAS Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, Pakistan; Harri304@gmail.com
4. Chief Executive Officer, AIERD; shakeelramay2@gmail.com
5. New Materials and additive Technologies from Saint Petersburg Polytechnic University Russia; Kamranafzalofficial1@gmail.com

*             Correspondence: muhammadrizwan3101@gmail.com

Keywords: Neighborhood, diplomacy, China, Pakistan

1. INTRODUCTION

For regional economic and political stability China keeps its relations with neighbors on top priority in foreign affairs, to pursue good neighborhood diplomacy’. China intends to establish friendship and partnership with the neighboring countries to form an affable and secure neighborhood under the principle of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness (Xinhua, 2018). China is putting unwavering efforts to settle the conflicts with its neighbors to promote beneficial cooperation and regional stability, setting an example for the world of creating a community with shared goals (Xinhua, 2018). President Xi’s leadership is truly known for neighborhood diplomacy. The main approach is to make an encouraging and stable zone for economic grounds. The ‘Silk Road’ (one belt, one road) concept is the most noticeable effort of China’s neighborhood diplomacy, which is shared by 64 surrounding countries and neighboring countries are the most prioritized and beneficiaries (PISM, 2015). The Belt and Road Initiative is the practice to establish economic, political, cultural and people-to-people connectivity by providing generous financial assistance. For a reliable financial support, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank was established in 2014 to facilitate the partner countries in getting loans on easy terms (PISM, 2015). Other projects which could be prove beneficial for Asia are Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the Free Trade Area for the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP), the Free Trade Agreements with neighboring countries (PISM, 2015). The Security initiatives are designed to ensure a peaceful environment in the region and to show that China is a peace contributor. In 2014, China conducted a session “Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building” (CICA), in this conference China directed for a new Asian security concept, a notion of cooperation and Inter-reliant security (PISM, 2015). It also reflects the idea that Asia do not need any non-Asian actor like U.S. and they can protect its security by cooperating and designing new mechanisms among each other.

2. MATERIALS AND METHODS

The paper is based on qualitative research is covering only secondary data (articles, research papers, newspaper reports and official data on government websites) and author’s own understanding of the study.

3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

During the Cold War era, the rivalry between China and the U.S. and the split of Soviet Union prevented China from initiating diplomatic relations with neighbors. Since 1950’s-1970’s China had hardly any friendly relations with the countries (Dachatal, 2017). From late 1970’s China adopted the policy towards neighbors. In the Cold War era, a geopolitical trio relations created between China, the U.S. and Pakistan. After the cold war era the U.S. political involvement decreased in the region lead to a link between China and Pakistan (Smith, 2011). The 9/11 incident bring a tragic turn when Pakistan enthusiastically supported the war on terror (Zeb, 2012). However, later the Indo-U.S. cooperation in the region led to strong Pak- China ties. To maintain the balance of power in South Asia, where India is occupying a strong position economically and politically, China ensures to stand with Pakistan in almost every sensitive situation like Pak-India wars, to prevent military confrontation between both the rival countries (Gerver, 2005). China is the existing great power of South Asia and benefiting from the present structure of power between Pakistan and India. China had territorial disputes with both the countries however in case of Pakistan, China has resolved its issue permanently through an agreement in 1963 which lead to “all weather” and “tested-by- adversity” relations between both the countries. Later China assisted Pakistan in nuclear program in 1970’s and 1980’s. China helped Pakistan in Pak-India wars by supplying arms, biased government statements and concentration of China’s forces on India’s northern region (Grever, 2005). Since 1950s China and Pakistan had welcoming relations, though from the start the economic relations were minimal. Since 1990s the economic ties have been developed but later between 1990s -2006 the trade deficit was created because of the Pakistan’s imports exceeded the Chinese exports (Keyani et al., 2013).  Since last 70 years, China has continuously supported Pakistan with diplomatic, political and military assistance (Boni, 2019).  To avoid trade deficit both the countries signed Free Trade Agreements in 2006 (Munir, 2018). In 2017, the bilateral trade volume went up to $20 billion.  In 2019, Pakistan was one of the 50 countries to support China’s policy on Xinxiang and consented to a letter to the UN Human Rights Commission, imposing the ‘significant human rights achievement’ of China. In 2020, Pakistan also endorsed laws on national security in Hong Kong at UN (Khalid & Rashid, 2021). Pakistan’s strategic position in China’s neighborhood policy is very significant. Pakistan has always been the center of attraction for the global powers due to its strategic position. Pakistan’s strategic position can be utilized to endorse its strategic interest by establishing ties with Pakistan. It is located in the center of the twin powers in region of central Asia, South Asia and the Middle East (Khalid and Rashid, 2021). The central Asia and Middle East countries hold a significant position geopolitically because of oil and mineral richness. Pakistan’s geographical pattern is very important for strategic and economic collaboration. Pakistan gives a short and easy access to the central Asia, Middle East and African countries through Gwadar region (Irshad, 2015). For a long China and Pakistan have been trading partners. China is desperately investing in economy and infrastructure of Pakistan. The Belt and Road Initiative is a mega project by President Xi Jinping, connecting 64 countries. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor is a part of BRI project in Pakistan. Initially, it’s worth was $42 billion which gradually extended to $62 billion; consisting of infrastructure, industrialization and technology development (Khalid and Rashid, 2021).  Despite different culture, the political associations between both the countries reflect economic cooperation. Numerous steps are taken to promote cultural values in each other countries. China has always put Pakistan as a priority, whether it’s political, strategic or military relations. In a meeting between Chinese military officials and Pakistan COAS, China claimed that Pakistan is always China’s priority in its neighborhood diplomacy and China will strongly support Pakistan in preserving its sovereignty, territorial integrity, development interest and national honor regardless of the international scenario (The Tribune, 2022). The purpose of Gen Munir’s visit to China was to discuss China’s rising worry over Pakistan’s ongoing economic crisis, which poses a threat to Chinese investment. Through CPEC Pakistan would have a connection to the Xinjiang province? Due to this connectedness, the region’s economy will become more integrated. Pakistan could survive the current energy crisis. The amount of income is anticipated to rise. GDP growth would be the primary indicator of the direct effect. The commercial and industrial sectors would benefit from energy security. The corridor will assist in addressing the issues of terrorism, which poses a threat to the region’s peace and quiet as this corridor can enhance the Pak-India ties. The corridor will also help in increasing economic activities in Afghanistan (Tahsin,Khan &Sargana). With the development of several transportation networks, energy projects and special economic zones, the CPEC is expected to modernize Pakistan’s infrastructure and boost its economy (Hussain & Hussain, 2017). The CPEC will provide the quickest path for Chinese goods to reach the global market linking the southern Chinese province of Xinjiange to Gwadar port.  The multi-faceted project has created fresh opportunities for Pakistan to rebalance its priorities from geopolitics to geo-economics. It is supported by four pillars, i.e. the development of the labor force, infrastructure, energy needs and economic growth. The CPEC project is an investment for the next 15-30 years rather than a financial aid. It is expected that if CPEC is operated appropriately, the economy would grow by 3-4 folds (Hussain & Hussain, 2017).  The CPEC route is from Khunjrab pass into Pakistan in the mountains down the Karakorum highways. The CPEC project includes developing Gwadar to an International commercial port. Gwadar is strategically important because of its location. CPEC will benefit China by reducing 12000km sea route to 2000km land route i.e. from Kashghar in China to Gwadar in Pakistan (Rafi, 2016). China is interested in expending the direct crude oil pipelines from Gwadar to Xinjiang (Khetran, 2014 & 2015). With the development of the port China will be able to do trade with the land lock countries of central Asia, the Middle East and African countries. China’s 80% trade is through Strait of Malacca and Indian Ocean but the piracy and terrorist attacks on Malacca Strait causes damage to the Chinese trade. Besides the presence of U.S. naval military is a main hurdle. Gwadar is an alternate route for Chinese trade. The neighborhood diplomacy of China brings few ideas that all the neighboring countries must be considered as a region with common interests in which China is the key player. Firstly, the concept of ‘community of shared interest’ and ‘common destiny’ compels China to not only think about bilateral relations or one sided relations with the neighboring countries but to take it as a part of overall relationship with the neighborhood. Secondly, the cooperative neighborhood is in the favor of China’s rise to great power status. It reflects he idea that China’s neighborhood is not a threat to its security but a reliable relation with neighbors will provide a foundation for the search of security, and totally this idea has led China to think about ‘community of shared interests’ with its neighbors.  Pakistan is regarded as an important ally and partner in the region because of several reasons. First, Pakistan serves as doorway for China to expend its link to the westward, Arabian Sea and to the Middle East. CPEC is a main example of how China is utilizing Pakistan’s strategic location to expend its connectivity and trade. Second, both the countries have polished their ties and extended their political and military relation. Both the sides are cooperating with each other in defense, counter-terrorism and intelligence sectors. China and Pakistan are supporting each other on International forums. Besides, China is providing military equipment’s to Pakistan since long. Third, Pakistan gives easy access of Indian Ocean to China    to secure China’s energy imports from Middle East region. China has developed its naval base in Gwadar region to carry out its interest. In a nut shell, the strategic location of Pakistan as neighbor to China is valuable for regional and foreign policy goals.

4. CONCLUSIONS

It is concluded that the higher than the mountain, deeper than ocean and sweater than honey” relations between China and Pakistan is not for a lame reason but the strategic, economic and political patterns played its role. China’s neighborhood policy is favorable for China as it helps China to enhance its influence in the region, strengthen its economy by promoting economic projects in the neighborhood, gain a position of regional power and promote its foreign policy objectives.

REFERENCES

1. Chung, C. (2010). China’s Multilateral Cooperation in Asia and the Pacific. P. 19-20.
2. Grever, John W. (2005). “China’s “Good Neighborhood” Diplomacy; A wolf in sheep’s Clothing?”ASIA Program special report.
3. Hussain, F. &Hussain, M. (2017).“China-Pak Economic Corridor (CPEC) and its Geopolitical paradigm”.International Journal of Social Sciences, Humanities and Education.
4. Khalid, I. & Rashid, M. (2016).“Pakistan’s Strategic Potential and Diplomatic Relations with China under Xi Jinping”.Orient Research Journal of Social Sciences.
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