Dr. Mehmood Ul Hassan
Pakistan is passing through a difficult time because of various internal and external X-factors. Unfortunately, its macro-economy is now at the lowest ebbs. National politics is further deteriorated due to conflicting realities and unending wild race for power accumulation at any cost. The society is further divided because of wrong assumptions, perceptions and conceptual search of angels rather human agency of development. However, China Pakistan Economic Corridor is the last hope for “survival” and future of greater socio-economic “prosperity” and “sustainability’.
On the other hand, China is also confronting with various external imperialistic factors, trying to “contain” China on different fronts. The formation of QUAD, AUKUS, imminent Asia/economic NATO and now launching of a new the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) all show formation of “formidable” alliances/partnerships against China.
Moreover, provoking signaling, infuriating gestures and sugarcoated diplomatic ties of the US and UK with Taiwan all lead towards confrontational combating clouding. Furthermore secretive hybrid war of the West through hand grenades (social media) and keyboard warriors have further widened gulf of distrust between the US and China.
The drastic change in the US Indo-Pacific policy and priority has jolted many regional capitals. The increasing strategic partnerships of the US with India, South Korea, Australia and now Japan all vividly reflect the rise and regrouping against China.
The ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict has further worsened ties with the US and China. China does not support imposition of unilateral sanctions against Russia, whereas the US is behaving like an “untamed” elephant and is least concerned from the just concerns of Russia, China and most of the countries around the globe.
It has badly damaged the concept of globalization, multiculturalism and international trade system. It has produced serious dints to global supply chains system, commodity markets, exchange houses, and last but not least, oil & gas markets around the globe. Notwithstanding, Chinese CPEP and BRI have become icons of development instead of destruction and symbols of productivity instead of persecution in the country and around the globe.
Most recently in this “doom and gloom’ the Chinese president Xi Jinping announced two unique but timely initiatives namely “Global Development Initiative (GDI)” and “Global Security Initiative (GSI)” and termed both as “savior” to humanity, “guarantor” of development and “salvager” of nation’s sovereignty, territorial integration and last but not least, economic recovery in the world.
Unfortunately, numerous viruses in shapes of COVID-19, Omicron and now speculations of Monkey-pox have been following the regional as well as global economies at rapid speed. Nevertheless the role of China during difficult times of COVID-19 and Omicron has become a “success story” which saved millions and millions of struggling people from serious health problems, lack of capacity building issues and last but not least, hunger, disease, and poverty. Chinese noble concept of BRI Health Silk Route has become beacon of hope for the humanity.
The increase in Western propaganda especially the BBC and VOA against China in terms of so-called debt traps diplomacy (Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Kenya etc.) Hong Kong, South Sea China, Taiwan and Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region have polluted the chances of economic fair-play and respect of sovereignty.
However, China and its mega projects of the 21th century i.e. BRI and CPEC have nothing do with the declining economies, struggling communities and disturbing societies in South East Asia, Africa and around the globe.
In this connection, lack of serious structural reforms in economies, finance, banking, trade & commerce, monetary & fiscal policies, capacity building apparatus, corruption, limited human capital resources, and last but not least, limited scope and mix of exports are the main reasons of defaults. Thus China has been the staunch supporter of the developing countries and not the imperialistic schemers.
Moreover, the further and sudden activation of banned religious outfit’s organizations in Pakistan has also become monster. The killing of Chinese teachers in Karachi has further derailed projects of CPEC in the country. However, speedy recovery has been achieved through the direct involvement of highest levels of political leadership and main stakeholders of both the countries timely faced the CPEC in the country.
For further socio-economic, geopolitical and geostrategic cooperation, the Chinese foreign minister Wang has floated the ideal of “BRICS Plus” which would be helpful to pursue sustainable development goals and achieve equitable system of global governance. Chinese foreign minister Wang advised the developing countries to work together to improve global governance and strive for greater space for development.
In this context, BRICS Plus stands true spirits of solidarity and mutual assistance, and South-South cooperation. It would further promote the development of global governance system in a more just and reasonable direction.
Most recently, the Chinese President Xi Jinping, while addressing the opening session of the meeting, urged on the BRICS countries to reject Cold War mentality and shun confrontation and work together to build a global community of security for all. This was clearly hinted at the geopolitics of polarization pursued by the U.S. and its Western allies wherein the world is divided in the simplistic, yet irrational, binary of allies and adversaries similar to the times of the Cold War.
He further noted that BRICS could play a constructive role in dealing with these challenges. He was of the opinion that as a?positive, inspiring?and constructive force in the international community, the BRICS countries should be brave enough to tackles all hurdles to promote peace and development, uphold fairness and justice, and advocate democracy and freedom in the world.
Furthermore, the Chinese President Xi Jinping’s proposed Global Security Initiative (GSI) which aimed at creating an Asian security framework that would replace confrontation, alliance and a zero-sum approach with dialogue, partnership and win-win propositions. So it is a value addition in the regional security systems which will be a balancing act in the days to come. It is a holistic and comprehensive new security system which cares about security, economy, sovereignty, dignity and last but not least, humanity.
During last year Chinese President Xi presented an innovative Global Development Initiative (GDI) at the UN General Assembly and pinpointed the numerous emerging socio-economic challenges faced by developing countries.
The GDI has a multiplier effect which is a public good open to the whole world. It primarily aims to form synergy with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and boost common development across the world. He committed that China stood ready to work with all partners to jointly translate the Initiative into concrete policy actions and make sure that no country should left behind in this global process of joint, inclusive, holistic and comprehensive development.
It salient features safeguard and improve people’s livelihoods and protect and promote human rights through development, and make sure that development is for the people and by the people, and that its fruits are shared among the people. So GDI also stands for human development, people’s friendly policies, people’s genuine protection by generating self-economic reliance without any socio-economic and geopolitical discrimination and geostrategic compulsions.
It aims to continue work so that the people will have a greater sense of happiness, benefit and security, and achieve well-rounded development. It stays committed to development as a priority. It commits to put development high on the global macro policy agenda, strengthen policy coordination among major economies, and ensure policy continuity, consistency and sustainability.
The basis of the GDI is economic relief, policy relaxation and priority reorganization of economic assistance parameters to equally distribute economic goods at the doors steps of people. So it may produce trickledown effects in which BRI has greater supportive role. It tends to create technological revolution and industrial transformation, redouble efforts to harness technological achievements to boost productivity, and foster an open, fair, equitable and non-discriminatory environment for the development of science and technology. It should foster new growth drivers in the post-COVID era and jointly achieve leap frog development. Even extended BRI Silk Health Program has same policy priorities.
It purposes harmony between man and nature. It needs to improve global environmental governance, actively respond to climate change and create a community of life for man and nature. It accelerates transition to a green and low-carbon economy and achieves green recovery and development. Green CPEC and BRI have direct economic correlation with this policy agenda of the GDI. Thus CPEC and BRI and GDI share befitting propositions.
GDI encourages putting development high on the global macro policy agenda, strengthening policy coordination among major economies, and ensuring policy continuity, consistency and sustainability. It stands for fostering equal and balanced global development partnerships through forging greater synergy among multilateral development cooperation processes.
It seems that central point of the GDI is to safeguard and improve people’s livelihoods, and protect and promote human rights through development. It supports innovation-driven development and harmony between man and nature. Thus CPEC & GDI present win-win propositions for Pakistan and China.
To conclude the Xi’s GSI & GDI are against the Western theories of geopolitical security and economic exploitation. Both are indeed giant steps towards Asian Security Architecture (ASA) and South-South Cooperation.
It pledges “six commitments”, comprising of the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security; respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries; abiding by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter; taking the legitimate security concerns of all countries seriously; peacefully resolving differences and disputes between countries through dialogue and consultation; and staying committed to maintaining security in both traditional and non-traditional domains.
Despite Western propaganda, internal economic meltdown and severe political divide, CPEC is active, productive and persistence in the country. The genie of darkness has once again come out of the bottle of load shedding but energy projects of the CPEC are not directly or indirectly responsible for this. CPEC stands for rapid sustainable development in which Xi integrated concepts of GDI and GSI would be game and fate changers. Economic prosperity has direct correlation with security and law & order situation thus both the GDI & GSI are vital for achieving greater socio-economic prosperity, connectivity and human dignity in the days to come.
(The author is Director:
The Center for South Asia & International Studies (CSAIS), Islamabad Regional Expert:
China, CPEC & BRI)
