High level visit between China and Pakistan at a crucial moment

High-level visits and their frequency at this moment, when Pakistan is facing severe challenges and the region are undergoing various serious threats, are very important.

By ZAMIR AHMED AWAN
THE CHINESE Communist Party held its 19th National Congress from October 18-24 and Xi Jinping was reelected as general secretary by the new Central Committee. (photo credit: REUTERS)
THE CHINESE Communist Party held its 19th National Congress from October 18-24 and Xi Jinping was reelected as general secretary by the new Central Committee.
(photo credit: REUTERS)
The China-Pakistan time-tested, all-weather friendship is recognized by the world and termed as a role model in international relations by the rest of the world. Both nations have stood by each other on all critical moments, whether it is an economic blockade of China by the US in the 1950s and pushing China into isolation, or Indian pressure to isolate Pakistan in recent times. Pakistan is the only country among the neighboring nation of China which has no dispute or any issue with it. We enjoy complete harmony on all domestic, regional and global issues. We support and complement each other and stand side-by-side on all crucial moments.
Pakistan is facing severe challenges in this region due to its neighbors, like India and Afghanistan, for a few decades. But a recent Indian move in occupied Kashmir has shaken the peace and stability of the whole region. It is worth mentioning that both India and Pakistan are nuclear states and any misadventure can cause heavy loss to humanity, not only in this region but globally. Pakistan is a peace-loving nation and a victim of the war-like situation in Afghanistan for the last four decades. Pakistan is a victim of terrorism and understands the cost of any escalation of a full-fledged war. The country has successfully averted a war imposed by India in February of this year. And while it may try its best to avoid any war, if war is imposed, Pakistan may retaliate with its full strength as the last option.
Indian accession of Kashmir and reinforcement of fresh troops in Kashmir, military deployment along the line of control and movements of troops and military installations are an obvious message for Pakistan. It is considered a direct threat to the country and a serious warning. India is in the hands of extremists of RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) and any unusual expedition can be expected from the war-crazed government of Narendra Modi.
On the other hand, Pakistan is facilitating a peace process in Afghanistan. Pakistan used its influence to bring the Taliban to the negotiating table to communicate directly with the US. The US administration has almost agreed to the withdrawal of its troops from Afghanistan. The post-withdrawal strategy has to be formulated to maintain stability and peace in the country, as well as in the region. There is a dire need to repeat the previous experience when the former USSR withdrew its troops and the US also left Afghanistan and as a result, factions inside Afghanistan initiated a civil war and damaged the country even more.
China, having a direct border with Kashmir and India, is a stake-holder and having a keen interest in the peace and stability of this region. China also has a common border with Afghanistan, is also a stake-holder in this respect and desires a perfect peace and stability in Afghanistan, too. Overall, China is one of five permanent members of the UN Security Council (UNSC) and is an emerging world power. China has a global responsibility too, and understands its responsibility very well. China always promoted world peace and supported any initiative by any nation toward world peace and stability.
Mutual visits between the leadership of China and Pakistan are very common and a matter of routine. Such visits usually promote and further strengthen existing friendship, and always open new avenues of cooperation. In fact, mutual visits are to enhance mutual understandings and collaborations. Goodwill visits are aimed at further cementing diplomacy and friendship bonds that have already been in a long time in existence.
Recently, such visits have been witnessed even more frequently. Last week, Pakistan’s foreign minister visited Beijing and had high-level meetings with Chinese leadership. A high-level Chinese military delegation is expected to visit Pakistan soon and Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi is expected to visit Pakistan during the first week of September.
High-level visits and their frequency at this moment, when Pakistan is facing severe challenges and the region are undergoing various serious threats, are very important. Pakistan values the Chinese support and this is a really crucial moment. Pakistan will be not alone to overcome all such challenges. The country understands the Chinese role and appreciates it, and is also proud of friendship with China. A warm welcome to the upcoming Chinese delegations to Pakistan.
The writer is a professor and Sinologist (ex-Diplomate), non-resident fellow of the Center for China and Globalization at the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan. awanzamir@yahoo.com.