Dr. Mehmood Ul Hassan
China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has further strengthened bilateral relations of Pakistan and China. It has now become hope for socio-economic prosperity, immense socio-economic integration and greater regional connectivity.
On the other hand, the Communist Party of China (CPC) has been “backbone” of socio-economic development of China since its inception. It has been “beacon” of hope for a qualitative life, icon of economic sustainability, political stability and pioneer of social cohesion. Actually, it has successfully transformed its economy, civility, society, state, governance and even foreign policy. It seems that CPEC is the “strategic byproduct” of CPC economic vision and greater regional connectivity. This year marks the 101st anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC).
In this connection, the incumbent government under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif the famously known as “Speed-Man” has strived hard to further accelerated the projects of CPEC Phase-I. All pending issues, projects and conflict interests have been ratified through befitting propositions along with investment and business friendly policies pertaining to CPEC. Even matters of security have also been streamlined through some conventional tactics and unconventional wisdom to provide best security system to all the Chinese citizens and workers associated with CPEC in the country.
The Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Reform, Ahsan Iqbal is also trying his best to accelerate speed of CPEC projects in the country. He is all out to initiate its phase-II as soon as possible. It seems that he succeeded to form new SOPs for early completion of CPEC Phase-I which is a good omen for the country and economy alike.
Most recently, CPEC has achieved another milestone which means that charisma of Speed-Man and human wisdom of Ashan Iqbal has streamlined the pending projects of CPEC. In this context, Karot Hydropower Plant the first hydropower investment project under the CPEC has now been fully operationalized.
Comparative study and critical analysis of Chinese national history and political struggle reveals that the victory of the CPC in 1949 was a momentous and historic event in world history. It was the first giant step towards self-identity, dignity, decency, development during which the largest peasantry had finally stood up alongside workers and intellectuals.
Moreover, it was an “opening of new chapter” in the birth and independence of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) during which the sincere leadership ploughed the seeds of community development, economic equality, social harmony, transparency, accountability and provision of basic human rights in Chinese society.
Afterwards, rigorous structural reforms succeeded to gradually transform its economy and people’s lives in China. It geared up the development of a socialist economy and promoted a strong centrally planned system and a government and stable political structure that institutionalized befitting land reforms, women empowerment, gender equality along with provision and protection of workers and peasants through empowerment, empathy and dignity.
Furthermore, it had actually revolutionized Chinese state and society alike. Interestingly the CPC and birth of the PRC forever changed world history and the destiny of the Chinese people. Thus CPEC is the the height of CPC political manifestation, greater economic good the splendid social therapy to create immense socio-economic prosperity.
Undoubtedly, the modern socio-economic, geopolitical and geostrategic history of China vividly reflects its holistic policies, programs and projects to create economic equality, reduction of poverty, and generation of new jobs not in its own country but equally in its allies like Pakistan.
In this regard, Chinese government always supported peaceful development in both domestic and international relations. Luckily, difficulties could not deter political commitments of its successive leadership and China sought to raise its own citizens but also connect with the world through international cooperation, trade and befitting proposition and meaningful exchanges. Thus One Belt & One Road Initiative (BRI) and its flagship project CPEC have now emerged as engines of regional as well as global growth and development.
Right from the beginning the CPC stood for peace, prosperity, and progress and it always supported world peace. The CPC’s strength over the past century stems from its willingness to cooperate and forge links with countries around the world, even with countries having conflicting perceptions and plans against China. Most recently announced the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative and Shared Prosperity of Chinese president Xi Jinping all speak about holistic orientation and legacy of the CPC which always cared about others especially in their difficult times. Thus CPEC was inaugurated in Pakistan when it experienced a huge energy deficit and completion of various energy projects reversed the situation.
It seems that the CPC believes in mutual benefit in its bilateral relations with other countries without dictating and without using war and liberal humanitarian interventions as an excuse to carry out regime change.
Conversely, the CPC has followed to a dynamic foreign policy of good-neighborliness and friendship, especially in the Asia-Pacific region and South Asia mainly with Pakistan through immense socio-economic cooperation and befitting propositions. Even CPEC is the total sum of the CPC pragmatic foreign policy and economic diversification.
China advocates for the settlement of international conflicts through dialogue and diplomacy which has supported a more stable international environment for China’s domestic development.
The emerging socio-economically sanctioned world economic system, geopolitically segmented power politics and geo-strategically semantic in terms of Russia-Ukraine conflict, the nuclear negotiations with Iran, NATO Eastern expansion, emergence of NATO Asia, and the security architecture in the Pacific to contain China, China is still continue to seek peaceful solutions to challenging and complex global issues. Thus BRI and CPEC have been implemented to achieve immense socio-economic prosperity, massive industrialization and greater regional connectivity.
Despite Western and the US chronic conspiratorial theories, invisible schemes of sabotage and political alliances with regional countries against China, it ironically maintained pace and stability which showed CPC’s superior philosophies.
In this connection, The U.S. escalated tensions with China and acted in a reckless and provocative manner. In these instances, China had legitimate reasons to defend itself and protect its vested interests. The western countries and especially the USA have been scheming against BRI and CPEC since long which show their hegemonic designs.
During all these years, China has always chosen peace and stability. This is a testament to the cadre and leadership of the CPC. Hopefully, the future will be brighter through continued self-dignity, nationalism, social economy and resistance against states seeking imperialism or attempting to undermine China and its allies around the world.
It fears that China-U.S. competition may threaten the creation of a multipolar architecture of peace, security and cooperation. U.S. provocations and instigations in the Asia-Pacific region are deeply concerning and reveal the militarist mentality of the U.S. and its prejudice toward China and the Chinese people. Thus Pak-China iron clad friendship is a balancing act which has further consolidated by the ongoing CPEC projects in the country.
Constant and continued hegemonic designs and imperialist aggression against China, the containment policy of China by U.S. military bases, the meddling in China’s internal affairs in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Taiwan, the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and the Tibet Autonomous Region and the fear mongering about the CPC and the origins of COVID-19 clearly demands a holistic policy and comprehensive road map to tackle all these important issues.
China tries to address these serious threats and destabilizing actions, seeks to create a stable surrounding environment for its own development. It supports trustworthy partnerships /alliances with neighboring countries and island nations, seeks to strengthen international ties beyond its region, and aims to expand international trade and cooperation via the Belt and Road Initiative and CPEC in Pakistan.
It seems that China is dedicated to building an international community that is united with a shared future for all humankind. Our world is unfortunately has badly affected with the impending climate catastrophe, these challenges pose real existential threats to achieving Chinese goals of creating a socialist future for all. Hopefully, these emerging challenges of human survival and national sovereignty should be addressed amicably.
To conclude, the Communist Party of China (CPC) has proved its strategic orientation, utility, scope and importance in the over socio-economic development of China during 101 years. China has now become role model for poverty reduction, social modernization, transformation, economic transition and last but not least, upholding or meritocracy in the world.
It has also proved its efficacy, productivity, multidimensional orientation to preserve rich ethnic diversity, multiculturalism and protection of basic human rights during long journey in search of specific entity, identity, nationalism and above all political determination for development, dialogue and diplomacy.
Economic equality, befitting corporate equity, women empowerment, gender equality, promotion of socialist state, people & business friendly policies, massive industrialization, diversification of resources and economic productive channels, operationalization and channelization of domestic talents, savings and human capitals to cater the basic necessities of life to its huge population remained a gigantic task but its successive leadership succeeded to turn the table and turned tears into smiles, crises into opportunities and difficult tasks into development orientations. It has proved that it is capable enough to lead from the front to forge national unity, peace, harmony and prosperity and extend peaceful development doctrines to all the regional as well as international countries.
(The author is Director:
The Center for South Asia & International Studies (CSAIS) Islamabad, Regional Expert: China, CPEC & BRI)
