China Trade relations with Pakistan are becoming a factor in further cementing Pak-China ties that have stood the test of time all these years in a region that has seen stupendous political, cultural, religious and economic upheavals of gigantic proportions.

Pak-China Friendship Deeper Than the Pacific

Generally in Pakistan it is said that the Pak-China friendship is deeper than the Pacific and higher than Mount Everest, the highest mountain in the world. Fortunately, this common assertion rife in political and diplomatic circles of Islamabad, capital of Pakistan, has been substantiated by certain realities that govern Pak-China relations.

Since 17th December, 2010 Chinese Prime Minister Mr. Wen Jiabao is in Pakistan on a three day state visit that is primarily aimed at cementing Pak-China relations. Going beyond the political, cultural and diplomatic vistas of state diplomacy, China has dually recognized the new factor that has recently played an abiding role in cementing the interests of two nations: economic ties.

China, Pakistans Natural Choice

Due to natural causes and domestic law and order situations coupled with corruption that has decayed bureaucracy from within and soiled all sectors of Pakistans social life, Pakistan's economy is experiencing significant problems.

With unfriendly, rather hostile India on its eastern borders having no appetite to normalize relations with Pakistan, and Iran being under UN sanctions, China is Pakistans natural choice.

Like a true friend, China has come forward. The beauty of Pak-China relations is that they are based on parity, mutual respect and trust. Whereas, conversely speaking, Pak-US relations, even though the US has provided more aid to Pakistan than China, are love-hate relations that are mired in deep-seated mistrust on part of both nations.

China Comes up with Tangible Plans to Help Pakistan

Truly, realizing the needs of Pakistan, China has come up with certain tangible plans to help Pakistan get out of its current economic troubles. According to media reports Pakistan and China have signed 22 agreements and MoUs to further their diplomatic, cultural, political and economic relations at all levels and to boost bilateral trade and investment for mutual benefit of the two countries to the tune of 15 billion US dollars.

According to the APP, Associated Press of Pakistan, a government-controlled news agency, the agreements were signed on 17th December, 2010 at a summit in Islamabad that was jointly organized by Board of Investment, Ministry of Commerce, Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) and China Council for Promotion of International Trade (CCIT). The agreements and MoUs related to development of energy sector, promotion of trade, exploration of natural resources and development of agriculture, livestock, finance and banking sectors.

Speaking on the occasion Premier Wen Jiabao said, Pak-China friendship is like a sea, that never drains and will last forever. He termed the Karakoram Highway a symbol of their deep friendship and added it has strengthened further with the great stories of courage and valour.

Prime Minister of Pakistan, Syed Yousif Raza Gillani, was equally candid and profusely acknowledged the significance of Pak-China relations, saying Our friendship is rooted in popular ethos and based on complete trust and mutual understanding. Reciprocating the words of the Chinese Prime Minister he emphasized that We value every drop of water in the ocean of China-Pakistan friendship. Each drop has added to the depth and richness of this relationship.

Information

China Trade relations with Pakistan are becoming a factor in further cementing Pak-China ties that have stood the test of time all these years.

First appeared in the Suite101 on Dec 19, 2010