Architect of a Better World

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Xi Jinping – NAB Activism Exclusive Interview Architect of a Detrimental with Ambassador Better World to CPEC Yao Jing

Editor’s Note

Happy China at 70! The special occasion merits a detailed analysis of the phenomenal rise of China, globally and regionally. Editor We are happy to announce that the special edition of Mian Abrar DiploMag, in your hands, is dedicated to the 70th Anni- CEO Assistant Editor versary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Sadia Khan Shamim Mehmood DiploMag is Pakistan’s top magazine covering the Associate Editor Managing Editor diplomatic affairs. This edition contains exclusive material Ahsan Raza Malik Nadeem Akhter Janjua regarding China-Pakistan friendly relations. In other Editor Coordination Editor Asia Pacific words, DiploMag is the only magazine in Pakistan that is Maimoona Zainab Kazmi Bilal Sabri producing exclusive content on China and its core interests, especially Belt and Road Initiative, China-Pakistan Editor Europe Special Correspondent Economic Corridor, One-China Policy, Chinese diplomacy Shah Nawaz Mohal Farid Sabri and foreign affairs and China’s booming economy, etc. Advisor Marketing Head of Marketing The 70 years have been an unprecedented success story Syed Ali Nawaz Gilani Mudasser Chaudhary for China. Since its foundation, China has come a long way – moving from a developing nation to the world’s second- Marketing Executive Creative Head biggest economy and on its way to overtake the top position Mohammed Shafique Gujjar Maqsood Arif among top economic giants of the world. Web Editor Web Developer In the ongoing China-US trade war, DiploMag has Muhammad Aitzaz Arsalan Kyani generated its exclusive content to analyse the economic conflict and its impact on the world economy. We have also stationed our Asia Pacific Editor, Mr Bilal Sabri, in Beijing Head office to exclusively report on China’s foreign policy initiatives and the daily coverage of China’s MOFA spokespersons is Office No-14, 1st Floor, Aaly Plaza, 44-West, being projected. Fazal-ul-Haq Road, Blue Area, Islamabad. We hope that you would find this issue satisfying to Contact Us your interest. We welcome your input and feedback and Phone: +92-51-2342500 would try to address according to your valuable feedback Email: [email protected] www.diplo-mag.com in our editorial content accordingly. Follow Us

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1 OCTOBER 2019

This Month 04 18 BRI set to revolutionise world China working for lasting peace, universal economy security, common prosperity of world Sadia Khan Ambassador Yao Jing Masooma Fatima 08 CPC – Real force behind 24 China’s rise Curbs on Muslims in China: Farid Sabri Fact or Fiction? Mian Abrar 13 Xi Jinping – Architect of a 28 better world Balochistan: Troubled heart of CPEC heals Mian Abrar Sadia Khan 16 Protest pattern suggests foreign 32 intervention in Hong Kong riots Unprecedented development Bilal Sabri opportunities await Pakistan Cheng Xizhong

2 36 52 CPEC’s best yet to come in new phase: Rail Track Upgradation to Materialise Mushahid Hussain Sayed Transregional Trade Hamid Khan Wazir Ahsan Raza Malik 39 56 Suki Kinari Project: Adding CPEC to transform Balochistan into prosper- power to peoples’ lives ous, vibrant region: Bayazeed Kasi Mian Zawar Hussain Farooq Azam Awan 42 NAB activism detrimental 59 to CPEC Authority to fast-track CPEC projects Mir Sahtak Ahmadani Izbal Baloch 46 60 Iron Brothers all set to ink Hainan: Paradise on earth FTA-II, Pakisani exports to go up Bilal Sabri Ghulam Abbas

CONTENT 49 Making CPEC first drug-free route of the region: Shehryar Khan Afridi Shamim Mehmood

3 BRI Set to Revoluti onise World Economy As Belt & Road Initiative turned 6 this October, the initiative is likely to boost world GDP by $ 7.1 trillion annually within next two decades; the global gross domestic product would raise by 4.2 percent by year 2040

Sadia Khan

s the world’s unique but mega investment infrastructure and transport initiative – Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) – turns six this October, it has already brought a revolutionary transformation in over 165 countries and organisations. Belt and Road Initiative is likely to boost world GDP by $7.1 trillion annually within the next two decades, Ainvolving up to $8 trillion of spending over the next quarter century via global infrastructure and other related projects, according to the latest figures from a major economics report. The initiative is likely to raise global gross domestic product by about 4.2 percent in 2040, or 8.3 percent of GDP this year, with up to 56 countries forecast to have their annual GDP in 2040 boosted by more than $10 billion as a result, the report from the London-based Center for Economics and Business Research consultancy showed. It was October 2013 when China’s visionary President Xi Jinping launched the BRI aimed at building infrastructure and improving transport connectivity in more than 60 countries across Asia and beyond. Centuries ago, lucrative silk trade was carried out by caravans across sun-scorched deserts between the two ends of the Eurasian continent. Another merchant route was established on sea, linking China, Southeast Asia, the Indian subcontinent, and finally Europe and Africa. Traders and explorers traveled back and forth along the land and sea routes, facilitating commerce and contact between East and West. History has left more than just the paths. Inspired by the legacy of these historical commercial routes, in 2013, China proposed the BRI, an initiative which comprises the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century

4 Maritime Silk Road. Over the past six years, the joint BRI Set to Revoluti onise construction with participating countries has not only brought remarkable progress to regions along the routes, but also helped speed up global cooperation. To date, China has signed BRI agreements with around 138 countries. However, while memorandums of understanding between Beijing and BRI countries World Economy have ramped up — with 62 deals being signed with It was October 2013 when China’s vision- new partner countries from June 2018 to June 2019. ary President Xi Jinping launched the The same was reflected by Xi Jinping who told BRI aimed at building infrastructure the participants of the Second Belt and Road Forum and improving transport connectivity in for International Cooperation in April this year. more than 60 countries across Asia and “We shared the view that cooperation under the beyond. Centuries ago, lucrative silk trade BRI has opened a gateway to opportunities for common prosperity,” Xi said, adding that was carried out by caravans across sun- the joint Belt and Road construction is scorched deserts between the two ends benefiting a bigger population and has of the Eurasian continent been welcomed by more countries. The BRI is largely a brand- ing strategy for not-for-profit construction that pre-dates the 2013 announcement. In general, energy projects have made up the bulk of BRI-related construction and invest-

5 ment abroad. Apart from energy, China has prioritized BRI-related largest economy and which will therefore benefit from any boost construction projects in the transportation sector and investment to the world economy, the “biggest single potential beneficiary” in commodities. This fits with China’s longstanding ambitions of the initiative “is likely to be the US, even though it isn’t par- to secure its energy supply, and improve connectivity for com- ticipating directly in the project. This is because of the sheer size modities trade and transport links abroad. Laying out some of of the US economy, which means that it gains from the indirect the most detailed benefits of the BRI so far, the center’s 40-page effects of world GDP being boosted,” says the report. report, “From Silk Road to Silicon Road: How the Belt and Road “So bizarrely, despite the opposition of at least the Trump Initiative will Transform the Global Economy”, was written for administration, the United States is positioned, potentially, to be the Chartered Institute of Building worldwide professional body the second-biggest beneficiary of the Belt and Road Initiative,” representing construction and property professionals. CEBR Founder and Deputy Chairman Douglas McWilliams told The BRI “is the most ambitious and largest infrastructure media. Amid a “rebalancing of global power”, McWilliams said project arguably in history and will eventually touch more than he would expect the US to “come to terms” with the impact and two-thirds of the world’s population across some 65 or more success of the BRI and “may eventually want to participate in it”. countries. Its impact and effect will be felt for generations”, the The regions that will most be transformed by the initiative institute’s president, Chris Soffe, wrote in the report. “Although are likely to be Central Asia and Russia, where GDP in 2040 currently the BRI has about $2 trillion of projects already on is forecast to be 18 percent higher, and likely to be boosted in the drawing board, we believe that as it succeeds it will expand Central Europe (6 percent), Western Europe (5 percent) and East to encompass many other projects,” reported the center, which Asia (5 percent), according to the report. The largest proportional analyzed the economic impact of transport and infrastructure, impacts are expected to be in Mongolia, Kyrgyzstan and Russia, as well as trade frictions in its study. The center identified a it said. It is also highly likely that the Western European end of wide range of additional projects that seemed likely to link with the BRI, which has, other than Greece and the recent accession the BRI, including a “green belt and road” global network of of Italy, “largely stayed aloof so far”, will join in as the project renewable energy sources and storage, upgraded highway links gains momentum and attracts more countries, according to the catering to autonomous vehicles, and an academic network center. But the center also identified risks and obstacles for the connecting universities and scientific research with potential projects. Other than “the normal economic, political and military long-term impacts on technology and productivity. risks, which always have to be taken into account”, there also Other than China, which by 2040 will be by far the world’s were risks that “relate specifically to the projects themselves.

6 They are at the cutting edge of technology and as a result who can tell what technological obstacles might emerge”, it said. There also were economic obstacles — if the global economy “develops more slowly than expected, there is a risk that either The key point of the BRI is not just the lenders or borrowers might face debt obstacles which would physical and electronic infrastructure constrain the pace of spending”, according to the center. In its report, the CEBR likened the BRI to the vast road network of but the extent to which it makes trade the Roman Empire that “eventually mainly existed to support around the world easier and enhance trade”. “The key point of the BRI is not just the physical and electronic infrastructure but the extent to which it Moreover, the BRI is actively seeking alignment with makes trade around the world easier,” it said. other national or regional development plans, including Afri- Through the BRI, China will be “continuing to drive world can Union’s Agenda 2063, Russia’s Eurasian Economic Union, economic growth” by “helping the building of infrastructure Italy’s InvestItalia program, Saudi Arabia’s Saudi Vision 2030, throughout the world and through reducing both transport and Kyrgyzstan’s 2040 National Sustainable Development Strategy, other frictions that hold back world trade”, according to the center. and Mongolia’s Development Road program, among others. Guided by the Silk Road spirit, the initiative seeks to pool the At home, the BRI also seeks to facilitate the development efforts of the world to blaze a new trail for shared development plans of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, the Yangtze Economic and common prosperity through cooperation in five major areas Belt and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, -- policy coordination, connectivity of infrastructure and facilities, securing tangible benefits for the Chinese people. The BRI, with unimpeded trade, financial integration, and closer people-to-people the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution, and ties. Policy coordination is key to smooth cooperation. So far, shared benefits, helps bring mutually beneficial cooperation to China has signed policy agreements with other BRI participants a much greater level. on rules and standards, taxation, intellectual property protection and disputes settlement. Notable headway has been made in CONSTRUCTION AND COOPERATION infrastructure development. The flourishing BRI cooperation Kin Phea, director-general of the International Relations has expedited trade and investment flows, allowed for easier Institute of Cambodia, an arm of the Royal Academy of Cam- financial access, and created more extensive people-to-people bodia, said in August that the BRI has immensely contributed to exchanges across Asia, Europe, Africa and beyond. enhancing economic growth and development in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as well as in the world POPULARITY AND PROFITS at large. The grand vision for common development through greater Over the past six years, the developing countries in particular connectivity among countries and regions has won applause and have witnessed remarkable upgrades to their infrastructure. Smooth support from across the world. progress is underway in China-Laos Railway and China-Thailand So far, 138 countries and 29 international organizations have Railway projects. The Nairobi-Mombasa railway funded and signed cooperation agreements with China on jointly building built by China has carried more than 2.5 million passengers and the Belt and Road. Two BRI forums for international cooperation nearly 3.9 million tons of cargo since its launch in May 2017. have successfully been held in Beijing with broad consensuses In Ethiopia, a new China-assisted terminal at its capital airport and fruitful outcomes. Numerous programs under the framework was inaugurated earlier in January to accommodate 22 million are underway. Trade in goods between China and countries and passengers annually -- tripling the airport’s previous capacity regions along the Belt and Road registered a volume of more than and marking a major step taken by Ethiopia towards becoming 6 trillion U.S. dollars from 2013 to 2018, during which more than a key aviation hub of the African continent. 244,000 jobs were created for the locals. China’s direct foreign Co-managed by China’s COSCO SHIPPING Group, investment under the framework has exceeded 90 billion dollars. Greece’s Piraeus port has seen its container handling capacity According to Bernadette Deka-Zulu, executive director of increase fivefold since 2010 to 4.9 million TEUs (twenty-foot the Policy Monitoring and Research Center in Zambia, China equivalent units) in 2018. It now ranks 36th among the top 100 has already shown commitment and earnest in the BRI process ports worldwide on the Lloyd’s List, a major industry parameter, and it was up to individual partner countries to tap into the ini- up from the 93rd when the Chinese group first joined. tiative and come up with programs that will yield their desired Such progress has not yet covered energy and telecommu- benefits. In the past six years, China has signed 173 cooperation nications, two areas which have been remarkably boosted by documents with its BRI partners, which include currency swap the BRI, delivering business opportunities not just for Chinese agreements with 20 countries along the Belt and Road and RMB companies, but enterprises worldwide. In building a wind corridor clearing arrangements with seven countries. in Pakistan’s Sindh province, for example, U.S. multinational The China-Europe freight trains, connecting China with conglomerate General Electric is contracted to work with Pow- 50 cities in 15 European countries, had completed more than erChina to provide wind turbines as well as provide 10-year 14,000 trips by the end of March 2019. operation and maintenance services.

7 CPC Real Force Behind China’s Rise CPC has remained committed to the new development philosophy, adopted the right approach to development, and endeavored to transform the growth model. The result has been a constant improvement in the quality and effect of development at home and abroad

Farid Sabri

hina’s 40 years of reform and opening up have largely contributed to the country’s transformation into a modern, dynamic and robust economic power. Throughout these past 40 years of reform and opening up, Communist Party of China (CPC) and its visionary leadership has proved Cto be the backbone of China’s rise, providing leadership and vision to the country’s march on the world horizon. Year 2019, which marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, is a key year for China and the CPC to help securing a decisive victory in building a moderately prosperous society in all respects. With its 89 million-strong membership, the CPC is a team acting as mentor and visionary for the Chinese nation. It provides the country with a vision, and turns this vision into the reality by providing inclusive policies and acceptance of differing ideas which over the years has proven essential to helping the country from various storms since the CPC’s founding in 1921. As the CPC continues to lead China’s ascent, the influence of China and the CPC is deeply integrated and one cannot be separated from the other. China’s initiatives that have a global vision, such as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and a community of shared future for mankind, also represent aspirations of the CPC. Today, China is still, globally, undergoing significant transfor- mations, providing the world with more public goods. China, despite introduction of the New Normal policy, has maintained a spectacular pace of economic growth, kept its currency stable amid many difficulties, reduced its debt, pulled its 800 million people out of poverty and adopted innovative strategies to defeat all conspiracies against its rise. Benefitting from its rich history, China has developed a unique dispo- sition of patience and pragmatism, enabling the country to achieve its economic miracle in four decades and build a moderately prosperous society in a gradual way.

8 9 Keeping in view that China’s per capita income was less than $200 back in 1979, the per capita GDP has now been recorded $9,500 – a huge leap forward in mere forty years. China’s GDP for the first quarter of 2018 was 19.88 trillion Yuan. For the year of 2019, CPC plans to pursue supply-side structural reform as the main task, take tough steps to forestall and defuse major risks, carry out targeted poverty alleviation. This was 10.5% more than the first quarter of 2017 (18.03 trillion Yuan). For the past four quarters, the GDP was 84.56 trillion Yuan. This is US$13.4 trillion. Adding in Hong Kong and Macau puts China’s GDP at $13.8 trillion. China will likely be defined as a high-income economy by the World Bank in 2021-2023. Interestingly, China’s exports will play a smaller role for its economy. Ten years ago, they made up 35 percent of China’s GDP. Exports currently make up 18 percent of China’s economy. Consumption in China now makes up 77.8 percent of the economic growth, having increased by 20 percent since last year. In the first quarter of 2018, it produced 30 percent more industrial robots than in the year before and 139 percent 100 nations and international organizations have expressed more electric cars. support for the initiative, and dozens of them have signed Besides, CPC is planning to help the world benefit from its cooperation agreements with the country. China’s exchange economic strength. The BRI project, envisioned by CPC general of goods with Association of Southeast Asian Nations secretary, Xi Jinping – the president of China – is creating and (ASEAN) states alone has grown by nine percent to $279 growing new export markets in South Asia, Latin America and billion (€227 billion). Africa. BRI may prove to be the greatest project in history and When the Silk Road (BRI), which aims to link Asia with is to become the ‘engine of growth in the future’ and have the Europe and Africa with trade and infrastructure along and most influence on the world economy in the long run. So far over beyond the ancient Silk Road trade routes, was materialized,

10 The CPC plays a pivotal role in China’s phenomenal rise as the party is a product of China and a result of many experiences in the past

development of the party with unique Chinese characteristics. It wants China to be ‘more open in the future’, which will help increase China’s inbound and outbound investment. China made major pro- gresses under the leadership of the CPC Central Committee in the year 2018, as people had enjoyed a stronger sense of fulfillment, happiness, and security. In the year that marked the 40th anniversary of the reform and opening-up, China’s CPC resolved to further the reforms and raise the level of opening-up. A total of 1,932 reform schemes have been carried out since the third plenary session of the 18th CPC Central Committee in November 2013. For the year 2019, CPC has planned to pursue supply-side structural reform as the main task, take tough steps to forestall and defuse major risks, carry out targeted poverty alleviation, prevent it aimed to link 65 countries and unite some 40 percent and control pollution, and promote sustained and sound economic of the global economy. What makes China different from development. CPC also plans to pursue efforts to support Hong other nations is that it always has a long vision and it has Kong and Macao in integrating their own development into the tools to implement and transit the vision to reality. With overall development of the country and maintain their lasting its economy going through important structural reforms, prosperity and stability. CPC also vowed to work for the peaceful China is expected to become a strong industrial nation by development of cross-strait relations and called for efforts to build 2025 and a knowledge-intensive country on a par with a community with a shared future for humanity. This year, the CPC other advanced nations by year 2049. would shoulder its responsibility to implement what is required by As China focuses on producing sophisticated tech- the CPC Central Committee and pool the wisdom and strength of nological products, many of the labor-intensive industries Chinese people inside and outside the country for the realization and heavy industry plants will move from China to other of the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation. nations and this will help reshape the global supply chain. To put the guiding principles from the 18th National Congress China is already providing the world with public goods into action, the Party’s Central Committee has held seven plenary such as sending peacekeepers, fighting piracy, and send- sessions. There, decisions and plans were made on issues of major ing medical missions to really poor countries to take care importance, from reforming the institutions and transforming the of the people who cannot afford to have good medical functions of government to deepening reform in all areas, advanc- treatment. China has already had tremendous influence in ing law-based governance, formulating the 13th five-year plan, and other nations. Another contribution of China to the world seeing governance over the party is exercised fully and with rigor. is the increase of Chinese tourists overseas as the number In the past five years, CPC has implemented the five-sphere has skyrocketed to hundreds of millions today since the integrated plan and the four-pronged comprehensive strategy, fulfilled start of China’s opening-up in 1978. China plans to help the goals of the 12th five-year plan, and made smooth progress in countries, mainly developing ones, along the Belt and implementing the 13th five-year plan. On all fronts new advances Road’s modern infrastructure and industrial facilities. have been made for the cause of the party and the country. CPC has In China’s achievements, the CPC plays a pivotal remained committed to the new development philosophy, adopted role as the party is a product of China and a combination the right approach to development, and endeavored to transform of the country’s many experiences in the past. CPC urges the growth model. The result has been a constant improvement in party members to be role models for others as this is the the quality and effect of development.

11 12 Xi Jinping: Architect of a Better World

Mian Abrar

hina’s visionary President governance amid unprecedented changes Keeping up with the ‘irreversible’ Xi Jinping has emerged as and challenges. momentum of anti-corruption campaign and a leader who not only cares Under Xi, China has adopted the maintaining the rule by law, China plans to for wellbeing and welfare policy of non-interference in other coun- set up a leading group for comprehensive of the Chinese nation but tries’ internal affairs, and never exports rule by law. Xi repeatedly talks about the also for the region and political ideologies to other countries. concept during his speech and vowed the beyond. While China faces challenges Under Xi’s vision, China has formed party and the government would rule the Cwithin and without, the leadership is ready ‘socialism with Chinese characteristics for country under the law and through public to meet them with a strategy to deal with a new era’. The idea will be the guiding oversight. He has reiterated that no one them on all fronts. Xi has outlined his principle for the country’s development in would be able to put themselves above vision for China’s future, for Asia and for the coming years. The slogan was released the law. According to Xi’s vision, China the global community. No Asian leader has amid speculation about how Xi’s political must watch out for any attempt to copy such a global view. Xi’s vision of build- thought would be enshrined into the party’s Western-style democracy. ing a community with a shared future for constitution. There are 14 elements behind Xi Jinping has achieved lots of mankind offers solutions to tackle various the concept, with one key idea being that milestones in his first five years as Chi- contemporary global challenges. Xi’s ideas the party should lead in every aspect of na’s leader. Anti-corruption campaign is offer solutions to the global problems life in China. one of the top priorities as China under such as unemployment, financial crisis, The dream of national rejuvenation Xi would observe “zero tolerance” for poverty, economic disparities, terrorism, would only be a fantasy without the lead- graft. The Chinese government has been nuclear threats, global warming and cli- ership of the CPC. The party should lead unswerving in ‘fighting tigers, destroying mate change. Xi’s concepts shun war and in all areas and the authority of the party flies and hunting down foxes’, referring to violence. Rather, Xi seeks to promote central leadership should be respected. the government’s sweeping anti-corruption peace, harmony, fraternity, friendliness Cadres should keep in line with the party campaign. China also plans to formulate and brotherhood among countries around leadership, while the party should tighten a national supervision law to replace the world. its lead on ideological work. shuanggui – a party disciplinary practice. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), The party resolutely opposes all In a bid to protecting national sovereignty, proposed by Xi, interconnects peoples attempts that will weaken, distort or Xi believes that China’s capability to deal around the world socially and culturally reject the leadership of the party and the with national security should be boosted through the construction of physical implementation of socialism. A principal as the nation will resolutely protect its infrastructures while respecting each contradiction had emerged in Chinese sovereignty and interests. other’s sovereignty and independence. society because of uneven development China has made a ‘historical break- The BRI supports the improvement of the and the public’s demand for a better life. through’ in national defence and military global governance system and advocates Xi laid out some ambitious targets for the reform. Chinese navy has protected the the principle of achieving shared growth next 30 years and the first batch would be nation’s maritime interest and its army through discussion and collaboration. achieved from 2020 to 2035. China will rapidly upgraded its weaponry. For the Xi’s vision covers the basic issues of the be a top-ranked innovative nation by 2035 coming years, China will continue pushing general goal and task of socialism with with a large middle-income population for integration between the civilian and the Chinese characteristics in the new era, and narrower wealth gap. Xi believes that military sector. The People’s Liberation and new theories and guidance on national China’s soft power should be boosted and Army plans to be a ‘world class’ force by development based on China’s practice. It from 2035 to 2050, China should become year 2050. China also opposes separatism also proposes a Chinese plan for the global a nation with pioneering global influence. under the guise of religion or extremist

13 thought. In a bid to creating a level playing and it will not close, but will open wider and society. It is aimed that all provinces field for foreign businesses, countering wider. China’s GDP has increased from 54 which are under the poverty line should foreign diplomats and business concerns trillion Yuan (US$8.2 trillion) five years ago climb above that threshold by 2020. that the government was blocking over- to 80 trillion Yuan and the government would Xi also pledges to create more jobs for seas investment, China plans to give equal aim for growth that is of higher quality and college graduates and migrant workers. treatment to all businesses. sustainable. Fighting poverty was crucial for President proposes building a secure, Under Xi, China has opened up China to become a moderately prosperous stable, inclusive and prosperous region. President Xi’s vision for a better future for Asia at the fifth summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia represents the consensus of regional countries on the future course for development. Xi has proposed building the continent into a secure, stable, open and inclusive region where countries enjoy mutual respect and trust, development and prosperity as well as cooperation and innovation. Xi has called for mutual respect and trust among countries in response to the recent resurgence of a cold war mentality in the world. He has stressed the need to build a secure and stable Asia as a consequence of various traditional and nontraditional threats. The relapse of the so-called clash of civilizations results in the need for countries to be open and inclusive, while cooperation and creativity are necessary approaches to resolving problems and

14 system and the multilateral trading system to address. Xi plans to step up ideological with the World Trade Organization at its guidance within the Communist Party of core. The Chinese president also wants China (CPC), strengthen its anti-corruption Xi has proposed building countries to promote liberalization and campaign, retain the government’s grip on facilitation of trade and investment. Xi’s Hong Kong and Macau, and oppose any Asia into a secure, stable, proposals can help countries in the region moves towards independence in Taiwan. open and inclusive region enhance mutual trust and step up efforts President Xi has inherited many where countries enjoy to promote regional security and develop- complex problems but he is dealing with mutual respect and trust, ment in the context of rising unilateralism them with wisdom and restraint. The development and prosper- and protectionism. He believes in forging biggest challenges China faces today are friendly relations with its neighbors and complex in nature and are multipronged. ity as well as cooperation would help countries settle disputes over China’s relationship with the United States and innovation territorial sovereignty and maritime rights of America (US) is the biggest challenge Xi and interests through peaceful negotiations. faces today as China’s success has turned ensuring sustainable development. Xi has Beijing looks committed to openness the US extremely hostile lately. China’s pledged to emphasize China’s commitment and win-win cooperation and wants to share instant rise has threatened the world super to multilateralism and an open economy development opportunities with other coun- power and its allies. China’s economic and expressed China’s firm resolve to build tries, particularly through Belt and Road boom is mesmerizing the world. Once good relations with its neighbors. The cooperation. President Xi has outlined his the US failed to encircle China under the country pursues extensive consultations, vision for the next five years of develop- Pivot to Asia policy announced by Barrack joint contributions and shared benefits in ment in China. The internal and external Obama, President Trump unleashed a new global governance. It firmly upholds the situations facing China are undergoing war tactic to slowdown China’s rise by United Nations-centered international complicated changes, which the party needed imposing Tariff War on China. However, Xi’s brilliance again worked and the new tactic of the US is failing again. Tariff war has been devastating for the US too as its farming and business communities are feeling the heat, it is equally putting strain on the Chinese economy. China has repeatedly complained about the US meddling in its domestic affairs too. One of those affairs is US meddling in Taiwan. Recently, the US approved an US$8 billion arms package to Taiwan. This is the largest single US arms sale to Taiwan in years, and some experts believe it signals a growing US discontent towards strategic ambiguity. Another area where China has accused the US of meddling is Hong Kong. The protests in Hong Kong have continued for weeks, with hundreds arrested and clashes with police becoming the new norm. China has repeatedly mentioned that meddling outside forces (the US) are to be blamed for the protesters’ actions. However, China’s restraint has started to show results and Hong Kong is stabilizing too. The successive failures of successive strategies may frustrate the US strategy and these failures may erupt into a cold or active war between the two economic giants. This is the biggest challenge for President Xi who has also started to build its military on modern lines.

15 Protest Pattern Suggests Foriegn Intervention In Hong Kong Riots China handling situation carefully with restraint as attackers blatantly challenge findings have ‘played a role’ behind the esca- principle of ‘one country, two systems,’ and lation of the Hong Kong violent incidents. underestimate the strong determination The state officials of Hong Kong believe that the support of ‘anti-China rioters’ is an act of of 1.4 billion Chinese people interference in the internal affairs of China. “Such acts of meddling in Hong Kong affairs are flagrant interference in China’s internal Bilal Sabri affairs, an infringement of international law, and obvious hegemonism,” an official said and added that every citizen of Hong Kong wo decades since its return to motherland China, Hong Kong must think about it. today is considered the most peaceful, prosperous, and pro- “Hong Kong’s future lies only with gressive region in Asia. Its economy has witnessed a higher China. China’s quick and continued progress speed of growth after its homecoming to mainland China. has given profitable chances, limitless main TA visit to Hong Kong reveals that the situation is under control and impetus, and immense space for Hong Kong,” the Hong Kong administration is confident of dealing with the matter the state official said, adding “Hong Kong’s prudently. A progression of large-scale demonstrations has broken out future depends upon entirely and reliably on in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) since June the principle of ‘one country, two systems’. this year, and a significant number of the protestors have gone far Political analysts say that the conspiracies beyond peaceful protests, causing outrageous violence and disruptions. and Cold War era mentality cannot hinder the The radical demonstrators besieged and stormed the Liaison journey of the glory of the Chinese people. The Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong SAR, official said that the Chinese government and vandalized facilities, and insulted the national flag and emblem, and Chinese people have the capacity to safeguard the regional emblem of Hong Kong. The radical forces also attacked their sovereignty. journalists and travelers and assaulted police officers. The violent acts The foreign policy experts have blamed severely undermined the rule of law, disrupted social order, and hurt international players for igniting the riots, Hong Kong’s economy and people’s well-being, as well as the city’s saying that some foreign agents were behind global image. Such violent acts blatantly challenged the authority of the ‘orchestrated protests’. “We are hope- the central government, touched the bottom line of the principle of “one ful that soon everyone in Hong Kong will country, two systems,” and underestimated the strong determination realize the reason why the UK and the US of 1.4 billion Chinese people, including Hong Kong compatriots, to governments have always been poking their safeguard the integrity of the country’s national unity, territory and nose into Hong Kong affairs. They say that sovereignty. the world powers’ involvement is to impede Authorities blame ‘foreign elements’ who according to their China’s peaceful development by interfering

16 in Hong Kong affairs. “China will safeguard the prosperity, sovereignty, and stability of Hong Kong with unity. Time will prove that any attempt to ruin China and roil Hong Kong will be defeated in faith on the principle of ‘one country, two systems’,” a government official said, adding that Hong Kong is a part of China, and it’s beyond all doubts that from 1996. The number of tourists to Hong Kong rose to more its fate is closely tied to its motherland. In the past 22 than 65 million, which is six times higher than in 1997. Hong years since Hong Kong’s return to its motherland, the Kong has been recognized as a global center of finance, trade and official said, the “one country, two systems” framework shipping and it is ranked among the top in the world by various has widely been acknowledged as a successful practice economic and social development indicators. in Hong Kong. With the introduction of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) Hong Kong is a part of the world where people and the construction of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater enjoy a sense of belongingness and security. The citizens Bay Area, Hong Kong will embrace new development opportuni- are provided with modern necessary civic facilities that ties. “However, it seems enemy forces tried to thwart the progress are not available in the many parts of the world; even in of Hong Kong. These are the forces that hindered many growing the Chinese mainland, many areas still striving for these economies with a Cold War mentality. But we are capable to deal kinds of facilities. Many reforms have been introduced with these forces. We are showing a great amount of restraint but in Hong Kong over the past 20 years. Hence, one can see the enemy must understand that this restraint must not be confused the progress in all walks of life by leaps and bounds. It as weakness,” the official concluded. became one of the world’s leading international financial hubs and its low taxation characterizes its service-oriented economy. It almost offers free-port trade and a well-established international financial market. The economy is market-driven as the interest rates are determined by individual banks. The country is considered highly dependent on the international trade and finance system. Investors enjoy freedom and the country is regarded as among the most desirable places to start a career in business. Studies conducted in the recent past show that Hong Kong had improved its status from 998 registered companies in 2014 to more than 2,800 registered startups in 2018. In 2018, the gross domestic product in Hong Kong reached $360 billion, almost double compared to figures

17 EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW China working for lasting peace, universal security, common prosperity of world AMBASSADOR YAO JING By Masooma Fatima

On 70th anniversary of the founding of Peoples Republic of complete reunification of Taiwan to the China, Ambassador Yao Jing shares the vision of Chinese Pres- motherland as an unshakable historical task. ident Xi Jinping for building a world community with shared China has also comprehensively destiny, removing poverty and bringing prosperity. The Ambas- promoted major country diplomacy with sador tells DiploMag Beijing stands by Pakistan on its all core Chinese characteristics and advocated building a community of shared future issues including Indian Occupied Kashmir; shares views on for mankind. China has actively promoted Hong Kong & Xinjiang situations the Belt and Road Initiative, established the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank What development has China achieved The overall development of the and contributed China’s wisdom to the in the 70 years since the founding of the country is vigorous. The quality of life has transformation of the global governance People’s Republic of China?? improved significantly. Life expectancy of system. October 1, 2019, is the 70th anni- Chinese people increased from 35 years to versary of the founding of the People’s 77 years, infant mortality rate has dropped What kind of experience can be shared Republic of China. Under the strong leader- from 200% to 6.1%. China successfully on China’s development experience? ship of the Communist Party of China, the hosted the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games The first one is to explore a devel- Chinese nation has grown from standing and will host the Beijing-Zhangjiakou opment path that is in line with its own up, getting rich and becoming stronger. The Winter Olympics in 2022. China adopted national conditions. During the last 70 Chinese people have moved from closed the strategy of “rejuvenating the country years, under the strong leadership of the backwardness to openness and progress, through science and education”. Communist Party of China, China has from a society lacking of food and clothing The rate of nine-year compulsory adhered to its own path, and created and to a comprehensive well-off society, from education has reached 94.2%, the gross developed socialism with Chinese char- common poverty to prosperity. The country enrollment rate of higher education has acteristics. Instead of copying the Western is devoting its full enthusiasm and efforts reached 48.1%. Since 2013, China has model, the Chinese government actively for the realization of the Chinese dream, become the world’s second largest research strengthens top-level design, promotes which is the great rejuvenation of the nation & development (R&D) investment country. the modernization of the national gover- at an early date. Significant achievements have been made nance system and governance capacity, The world has witnessed the miracle in many fields such as manned spaceflight, overcomes the shortcomings of various of China’s development in many aspects. lunar exploration engineering, quantum sci- institutional mechanisms through con- Economic growth is the most remarkable. ence, deep sea exploration, supercomputer tinuous reforms, and has stepped out of In 2018, China’s GDP reached 90 trillion and satellite navigation. Now, the country a road to enrich the people, strengthened RMB ($12,530 billion), accounting for highlights innovative, coordinated, green, the country, and revived China. nearly 16% of the world economy. The GDP open and shared growth. The second is to actively expand grew by 175 times compared with the year Progress has been made in the openness and integrate into the tide 1952, with an average annual growth rate peaceful reunification of the country and of economic globalization. Peace and of 8.1%. The per capita national income the international status and influence have development are the prevailing theme of reached $9,732, comparing to $16.6 in 1952. significantly been improved. In 1997 and the time. China is the beneficiary, builder 700 million people have been uplifted from 1999, China resumed the exercise of sov- and contributor of the current world eco- poverty; the poor population has decreased ereignty over Hong Kong and Macao, and nomic order. It stands firm to maintain to 16.6 million. China has become the first successfully implemented the “one country, the multilateral trading system, build an developing country to achieve the UN’s two systems.” The Communist Party of open world economy, and guide economic poverty reduction goals, contributing more China, the Chinese government, and the globalization toward a more open, inclusive than 70% of global poverty reduction. Chinese people have worked hard on the and balanced direction so that the benefit

18 19 China has also promoted it’s diplomacy with Chinese characteristics and advocated building a community of shared future for the mankind

can be shared by all. From the establishment of special economic zones to the free trade zones, from joining the World Trade Organization to jointly building the Belt and Road Initiative, China has formed an all-dimensional pattern of opening up to the outside world. The third is to adhere to the Chinese spirit of self-reliance and hard work. The Chinese nation has a tradition of self-reliance and hard work as inherited from thousands of years of history. Under the CPC, the spirit has been renewed and invigorated. It contributed significantly to the miracles China has achieved and numerous challenges it has conquered so far. rejects the Cold War mentality and power politics, and takes a new The fourth is to seek extensive cooperation and approach to developing state-to-state relations with communication, develop a mutually beneficial and win-win global part- not confrontation, and with partnership, not alliance. China is exploring nership. China has pursued an independent foreign policy a new model of major-country relations that features “no conflict or of peace and treated all countries equally. China believes confrontation, mutual respect, and win-win cooperation”. in building a network of non-aligned global partnerships, China will deepen relations with its neighbors in accordance developing equal and friendly relations with all countries, with the principle of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit, inclusiveness and and constantly expanding its “friend circle”. China adheres the policy of forging friendship and partnership with its neighbors. to mutual benefit and win-win results, seeks common devel- China adheres to the principle of upholding justice while pursuing opment, and promotes the construction of new international shared interests and works to strengthen solidarity and cooperation relations and a community of shared future for mankind. with other developing countries.

Please introduce the characteristics and goals of Thirdly, it pursues an independent foreign policy of peace. The major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics? logic of “power leading to hegemony” does not apply to China. In At present, world is undergoing profound changes today’s world, the old path of hegemony and colonialism is impos- unseen in a century. China is moving closer to center sible. China has always adhered to the Five Principles of peaceful stage as never before, and China’s future and destiny are, coexistence, pursued an independent foreign policy of peace, and increasingly, closely linked to the future of the world. made a solemn commitment to never seek hegemony or expansion. Under the guidance of President Xi Jinping, major country China has always been a staunch force in safeguarding world peace. diplomacy with Chinese characteristics is in full swing. Fourthly, maintaining a win-win strategy of opening-up. Nowa- Firstly, it encourages building of a community with a shared days the world is highly open and the trend of economic globalization future for mankind. This concept stems from traditional is irreversible. China is a participant, supporter, beneficiary and philosophy of “if beauty represents itself with diversity and defender of economic globalization. China has a clear opposition to integrity, the world will be blessed with harmony and unity”. trade protectionism, supports the multilateral trading regime, promotes The aim of the proposal is to build lasting peace, the establishment of free trade areas, and promotes the construction universal security, common prosperity, openness and inclu- of an open world economy. China actively promotes international siveness, clean and beautiful world. It has been included in cooperation through the Belt and Road Initiative, providing new many UN resolutions and is gradually becoming a global public goods to promote global common prosperity. consensus. Secondly, China promotes the construction of Many countries along the route, including Pakistan, have a new model of international relations. China resolutely become participants, builders and beneficiaries in this initiative.

20 Fifthly, the country is actively participating in the reform and China and Pakistan support each other on issues involving their construction of the global governance system. Changes in core interests. China and Pakistan jointly promote the reconciliation the global governance system should better reflect changes in Afghanistan and jointly oppose trade protectionism, unilateralism, in the international landscape, especially, reflecting the cold-war mentality and power politics, and promote to build a new willingness and interests of emerging market economies type of international relations and a community with a shared future and developing countries. for mankind. In changing the global governance system, China In terms of economic and trade investment, China and Pakistan adheres to the international order and international system promote balanced trade development and vigorously carry out capacity centered on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, cooperation. Since the implementation of the Free Trade Agreement and strives to strengthen its voice in the international gov- (FTA) between China and Pakistan in July 2007, Pakistan’s exports ernance system, actively participate in the formulation of to China have achieved three-fold increase, from US$575 million to relevant rules, and promote relevant governance systems in US$1.85 billion. In April this year, the second phase of FTA between the line with common interest of all countries in the world. China and Pakistan was signed in Beijing. This is an effective measure taken by China to promote the balanced development of bilateral trade. How do you view the current China-Pakistan relations? The two sides have substantially lowered the tariff. Pakistan’s China and Pakistan are time-tested friends. As Pres- export-oriented products such as cotton yarn, leather, clothing, seafood ident Xi Jinping put it, China-Pakistan relations should be products and nuts are included in tariff reduction lists. China supports a model of good-neighborly friendship, a pillar of regional the development of Pakistan’s manufacturing industry, improving its peace and stability, and a benchmark for international capacity for independent development, increasing employment and cooperation on the BRI. In the new era, China and Pakistan expanding exports, and accelerating its integration into the interna- are working hard to establish a closer community of shared tional industrial chain. China has become Pakistan’s largest trading future, which is based on mutual trust, mutual support, partner for five consecutive years, ranking first in Pakistan’s source friendship and amity, and shared interests. We appreciate of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) for six consecutive years. Pakistan takes its relations with China as the corner stone In the development of China Pakistan Economic Corridor of its foreign policy. Likewise, China always prioritizes (CPEC), it has entered a new stage of broadening and expansion. Pakistan in its foreign policies and neighborhood diplomacy. Total 15 projects have so far been completed and 10 projects are Politically, the two sides maintain close high-level under smooth construction. The energy projects completed provide exchanges, consolidate strategic mutual trust and strengthen more than 20% of the electricity in Pakistan. The booming port exchanges of experience in governance. President Xi Jinping construction and operation is making Gwadar a bright star. Engro met with Prime Minister Imran Khan three times and Prime Thar Block II 2×330MW Coal fired Power Plant and surface mine, Minister Imran Khan visited China twice within one year. CPHGC 1,320MW Coal-fired Power Plant in Hub, Balochistan, Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan, Vice Chairman of the and Peshawar-Karachi Motorway (Multan-Sukkur Section) were Central Military Commission Xu Qiliang, State Councilor completed recently. and Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited Pakistan in 2019. The Pakistani government will set up the CPEC Authority and

21 Special Security Division (South), which will facilitate to accelerate the exchanges of visits, joint drills and training, weapons implementation of CPEC projects. CPEC Phase-II will aim at high quality and equipment, and counter-terrorism.The two sides development, highlight industrial and agricultural cooperation, and bring resolutely cracked down on the East Turkestan Islamic more B2B engagement. Movement (ETIM) and the Balochistan separatists. The third-party cooperation in a principle way has also been discussed China acknowledges the sacrifices Pakistan has made and promoted. In terms of development cooperation, we focus on improving in fighting against terrorism and supports Pakistan’s peoples’ livelihood. More projects will be carried out in agriculture, educa- anti-terror drive in accordance with its national con- tion, medical care, drinking water, and employment. The priority is given to ditions. We believe that Pakistan will well protect the northern and western regions of Pakistan. Total 27 priority projects have national security and stability and create a solid been selected by Chinese government with grants, of which 17 fast-track foundation for economic and social development. projects will be commenced within one year.t We have also assisted in drilling wells around Quetta in Balochistan to Please introduce China’s policies on South Asia, solve water shortage for roughly 20,000 people and benefit local Afghanistan Kashmir issue and the Afghanistan issue? refugee camps. We have built the Faqeer Primary School in Gwadar, which China is a close neighbor of South Asia. The has expanded from 150 students to about 500 in five years, and has become total length of our shared border with South Asian the most popular local primary school. The agreement to build a middle countries is nearly 5,000 kilometers. In recent years, school has recently been signed. We have established Fraternity Emergency traditional friendship and mutually beneficial cooper- Care Center in Gwadar where Chinese doctors have overcome difficulties ation between China and South Asian countries have and stationed in Gwadar to provide basic medical services to local people. continuously been consolidated, and cooperation in In response to the most pressing youth employment issues in Pakistan, we various fields has achieved remarkable results. China have established vocational training centers in Quetta and Lahore. and South Asian countries have enjoyed effective In terms of defense and security, we promote cooperation and exchanges cooperation in infrastructure connectivity, economic between the military and law enforcement agencies of the two countries. The and trade development as well as people-to-people relations between the two armed forces have maintained stable developing exchanges. China and South Asian countries have momentum and carried out in-depth and pragmatic cooperation in high-level continuously enhanced the pragmatic cooperation

22 maintain the general picture of peace and stability in the region. As a friendly neighbor of Afghanistan, China has always expressed concerns about the development of the situation in Afghanistan and actively supported the peace and reconstruction process. China has provided substantial assistance to Afghanistan and it has consistently insisted that the Afghanistan issue can only be resolved through political manner. China firmly supports an inclusive, Afghan-led and Afghan-owned reconciliation process and the relevant parties in Afghanistan to strengthen dialogue, in order to create conditions for the final settlement of the Afghanistan issue. China hopes that the outcome of the United States and Taliban negotiations could be conducive to the reconciliation process, and calls on the US to responsibly withdraw its troops. China encourages Taliban to hold an early peace talk with a broadly representative Afghan delegation, including the Afghan government, and build up consensus on reduction of violence, counter-terrorism and combating illegal drug production & smuggling, thus helping Afghanistan restore peace, stability and development at an early date.

What is the position of the Chinese government on the issue of Xinjiang? As President Xi Jinping said, the people of all ethnic groups should hold together like pomegranate seeds and cherish national unity. The Chinese government has attached great importance to safeguard the security, promote the social and economic development, protect the people’s right of development and freedom of religious belief in Xinjiang. For a period of time, with the support of certain countries, terrorism and extremist forces have risen in Xinjiang, which have badly damaged the social & economic order and threatened the unity of the people in Xinjiang. In order to combat terrorism and maintain social stability, Xinjiang adopted a series of anti-terrorism and de-extremization measures, which have been proved very effective. There have been no violent incidents in the past three years. Now, there are more than 15 million ethnic minorities living in Xinjiang, through CPEC and Bangladesh-China-In- who enjoy 25,000 mosques, churches, monasteries and other places for religious dia-Myanmar Economic Corridor (BCIM) activities. On average, every 530 Muslims have a mosque. The people in Xinjiang under the Belt and Road Initiative. In the new now live and work in peace and happiness, and sincerely support the government’s situation, China is willing to continuously policy. Xinjiang’s economic development has accelerated as in 2018, the total GDP promote open cooperation with South Asian of Xinjiang was 1.15 trillion RMB ($160 billion), and the per capita GDP was countries, seek mutual benefits and win- 48,000 RMB ($6683), which was 294 times higher than the beginning of China’s win results, and jointly boost the economic reform and opening up in 1978. development of all parties, thus benefit the local people. What is the position of the Chinese government on the Hong Kong issue? China’s position on the Kashmir issue The application of “one country, two systems” in Hong Kong since 1997 has is clear and consistent. This issue is left over achieved universally recognized achievements. Hong Kong remains prosperous from history between India and Pakistan. It and stable, and is recognized as the world’s freest economy. Hong Kong’s rule should be properly resolved in a peaceful of law index ranks high in the world. However, since this June, there have been manner in accordance with the UN Charter, violent demonstrations and gatherings in Hong Kong with the support of external relevant UN Security Council resolutions and forces. Radical demonstrators have seriously threatened public security, affected bilateral agreements. This is also the consensus the rule of law, social order, economic livelihood and international image of Hong of the international community. The parties Kong. The Chinese government’s position on Hong Kong issue is very clear. Hong concerned should exercise restraint and act Kong affairs are purely China’s internal affairs. The Chinese central government with caution, especially, avoiding actions that resolutely supports the Hong Kong SAR government in its administration of the unilaterally change the status quo and escalate law. The Chinese government will never allow any external forces to intervene the tension. Meanwhile, China firmly opposes in Hong Kong affairs, and will not allow any foreign forces to attempt to destroy using the Kashmir issue to assert illegal claim Hong Kong. We solemnly demand that certain countries abide by the basic norms over Chinese territory. China calls on both the of international law and international relations, abide by their own commitments Indian and Pakistani sides to resolve disputes not to intervene in Hong Kong affairs, stop supporting violence and stop interfering through peaceful means and work together to in Hong Kong affairs in any form.

23 Curbs on Muslims in China Fact or Fiction? Mian Abrar

anding at Urumqi airport was a case of intense matter. Over the past few days, I contacted numerous officials interest and curiosity for me as I had read and and common citizens in China to get a true picture on fasting hard lots of claims and counter claims about ban. The Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (Xinjiang for Beijing’s alleged intolerance for religious short) is located in northwest China where Muslims are in minorities, especially for Muslims and the majority. For thousands of years, it has been a multi-ethnic presence of alleged concentration camps in region of multiple religions. At present, the major religions across Xinjiang Province – one of the biggest in Xinjiang are Islam, Buddhism, Protestantism, Catholicism provinces in China. My biggest interest was about government’s and Taoism. I decided to start my investigation into the matter Lreported clampdowns against Muslims in the holy month of from official sources. A Chinese government official brushed Ramazan and imposition of a fasting ban on Muslims. The aside the notion of reports of fasting ban for Muslims, terming myth behind fasting ban in China and I wondered how could a it a ‘propaganda campaign’ to hurt the image of China among government would stop faithful from observing fasting which in Muslims. no way offended fellow human beings. Even the brutal regime “There is nothing new in this propaganda campaign. of Israel doesn’t put any restrictions on fasting by Palestinian Every year with the arrival of the holy month of Ramazan, Muslims in the holy month of Ramazan. So how the Chinese a vicious propaganda campaign based on lies is projected government could put restrictions on its citizens from fasting? just to harm the image of China and its valiant people just to This intriguing question compelled me to delve into the ignite communal riots. There is absolutely no ban on fasting

24 in China. Rather, the Xinjiang government facilitates the Muslims fasting in Ramazan,” the official said. “Chinese government never believed in putting curbs on ethnic minorities. Fasting ban in China is a false propaganda. This issue is actually being confused by some media outlets who don’t understand the system in China,” the official asserted.Another official of Xinjiang government also confirmed that no such ban has been officially enforced in the province. The official said that like the central government, the local governments at all levels of Xinjiang have fully implemented the system of regional ethnic autonomy and the policy on the freedom of religious belief, and constantly improved laws and regulations on the administration of religious affairs. “All religions in Xinjiang have thus reached a new historic stage at which they coexist in harmony. Religious freedom is protected under the constitution in China, which the government strictly abides by. In case of minorities especially, the constitution is strictly followed to ensure harmony, peace and tranquility among peoples from various faiths and beliefs,” the official added. The Constitution of the People’s Republic of China clearly stipulates: “Citizens of the People’s Republic of China enjoy freedom of religious belief.” “No state organ, the Constitution and the law. “Anyone who infringes upon citizens’ public organization or individual may compel citizens freedom of religious belief shall bear the corresponding legal liability. to believe in, or not believe in, any religion; nor may These activities are protected by law, and no organization or individ- they discriminate against citizens who believe in, or do ual may interfere with them. To ensure successful pilgrimages for not believe in, any religion.” believers in Islam, Xinjiang adopts a policy of organized and planned “The state protects normal religious activities. No pilgrimages,” the official added. The official said President Xi Jinping one may make use of religion to engage in activities strongly believes in implementing the constitution in letter and spirit. that disrupt public order, impair the health of citizens “Specific directions have been passed on to government or interfere with the educational system of the state,” authorities in Xinjiang to ensure that Muslim citizens enjoy religious reads a copy of the Constitution. freedom,” the official added. The Regulations on Religious Affairs promulgated During my visit to Xinjiang province, most of the Muslims in by the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, Urumqi and Kashgar, with whom I spoke to, mentioned that they faced and the Regulations of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous no obstructions in fasting during Ramazan and neither have they been Region on Religious Affairs promulgated by the local prohibited or reprimanded. I also visited the main Eidgah Mosque in government of Xinjiang reflect the above principles Kashgar city and found people offering prayers there. The mosque of the Constitution that “citizens enjoy freedom of is the largest in the country and attracts more than 10,000 Muslims religious belief” and that “the state protects normal on important religious occasions, like Eid-ul-Fitr or Eid-ul-Azha. religious activities.” Mohammad Noor, a Muslim praying at Eidgah, said there was “Under the law, it is a completely independent no restriction on fasting in Xinjiang. “We have full freedom to observe choice of citizens to believe in, or not believe in, any religious rituals,” he said. During my interaction with Muslims in religion. No organization or individual may compel Xinjiang, the only thing I could find different was that those govern- citizens to believe in, or not believe in, any religion; ment servants who are members of the Communist Party of China nor may they discriminate against citizens who believe (CPC) are advised not to observe fasting during their duty hours. in, or do not believe in, any religion. No citizen suffers “Since communists do not follow the teachings of Islam, they discrimination or unfair treatment for believing in, or also do not observe fasting. So the government employees (who are not believing in, any religion,” the official said. members of the CPC) are guided not to fast as the ruling party does The official said relevant rules and regulations not encourage any religious activities,” Mr Ahmed, a government of Xinjiang also have provisions on religious groups, official told DiploMag. venues for religious activities, clerical personnel, reli- “Students are also advised not to observe fasting to ensuring gious activities, religious property and related matters. their mental and physical growth and nourishment as fasting may Citizens’ freedom of religious belief and their obligations harm their mental and physical growth,” he added. are unified; citizens who believe in or do not believe in Ahmed Ali, a religious scholar in Urumqi, says that even Islam any religion must fulfill the obligations prescribed by allows children, old and the ill not to fast as it may hamper their

25 The state protects normal religious activities. No one may make use of religion to engage in activities that disrupt public order, impair the health of citizens or interfere with the educational system of the state

recovery, physical and mental growth. Discussions with some of the schoolteachers at a local school in Urumqi revealed that the government has not banned fasting for students and teachers and rather they are encouraged not to observe fasting. “China puts education high on its priority. China’s school time starts from 8:00 in the morning and continues until 4 in the evening. If some children want to do homework at school, their timings could go beyond 6pm. Can anyone even think of studying all day long?” the head teacher argued. She said it gets more complicated if you are not a grown up man or a woman. “Since the Chinese nationals give top priority to education, it is beyond comprehension for kids to continue long hours of fasting while being in school. No one can survive this long study while fasting. Moreover, it is difficult to carry on fasting for a month in a competitive environment,” she added. Chinese government respects people’s freedom to believe in whatever they want to believe, but they discourage the promotion of any religions, she observed. Mohammad Eid-ul-Fitr is observed as a day of rejoice and celebration Ali, a vendor in Urumqi bazaar, said that citizens’ religious after a month of praying and fasting to seek forgiveness and feelings and needs are fully respected in Xinjiang. blessings from Allah almighty. Eid-ul-Fitr means ‘festival of “During the holy Islamic month of Ramazan whether to breaking the fast’ and marks the end of the fasting month of close or open halal (Muslim food) restaurants is completely Ramazan. Traditionally, Eid is celebrated for three days as an determined by the owners themselves without interference. official holiday in all Muslim-majority countries. However, the There are mosques with a tradition of having Iftar and a number of vacation days varies by country to country basis. number of religious believers provide free Iftar to fasting The day marks of culmination of the holy month of people,” he concluded. Ramazan, which is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar during which Muslims across the globe observed 30 days of Observing Eid in Beijing fasting. Eid day started with special prayers for peace, progress By the time I arrived Beijing, the Muslims were observing and prosperity for the country and entire Muslim Ummah. Eid-ul-Fitr. I was informed by members of Pakistani community Eid-ul-Fitr is celebrated by various ethnic groups of Muslim in Beijing that the Muslims across China observe Eid-ul-Fitr community in China, including the Hui, Uyghur, Kazakh, with religious zeal and fervour. I offered Eid prayers at Niujie Uzbek, Tajik, Tatar, Khalkhas, Salar, Dongxiang and Bao’an. Mosque where one of the biggest congregations of Muslims Many foreigner Muslims living in different provinces of China takes place. The magnificent Niujie Mosque is the oldest and also join the celebrations and offer the prayers. Thousands of the largest mosque in Beijing and also is one of the famous Muslims from various thronged the Niujie Mosque to offered mosques in the world. Originally built in 996 AD, the Mosque Eid-ul-Fitr prayer at the beginning of a major religious day. was initiated by an Arabic scholar Nasurddin and was named Since it was my first experience of observing any reli- as “Libaisi” by the Chinese Emperor in 1474 AD. The Mosque gious festivity in China, it broke the myth of western media has a strictly central axel balanced layout covering 10,000 propaganda of alleged curbs against Muslims in China. I was square meter area. The Muslims also offered Eid prayer in happy to see the government officials facilitating the religious more than seventy mosques in Beijing. festival which broke away the malicious, fabricated and mis-

26 leading stories about maltreatment of Muslims in China. Fitr is a great day here in China. Thousands of fervent Muslims The Chinese government had provided foolproof security celebrated the Eid with us in the vicinity of Niujie Mosque. The cover around Niujie Mosque and hundreds of security police cordoned off all roads leading to the mosque. This was a officials were appointed to provide services to the Muslims manifestation of how considerate China’s government is towards offering prayers. It was fabulous to see non-Muslim Chinese religious minorities,” he said. also celebrate Eid festival with the Muslim community to A journalist working for Vision Group-Uganda, Mr Mubarak show solidarity. Mugabo said that this has been his first Ramadan away from home. Many non-Muslims shared greeting of Eid with “I’m glad to see Chinese colleagues treat us very well during this Muslim early morning on Eid while many also sent messages holy month and made me feel at home,” he added. and arranged small parties to greet the Muslim friends. “My colleagues from African and Asia Pacific also made Smiles were everywhere and the atmosphere crackled with Ramazan smooth especially when we joined together during Iftar excitement. Everyone wore colorful new and traditional throughout the whole month. These were historic moments and clothes. There were so many foreigner Muslims offered have made me appreciate more how China treats Muslims. Eid prayer with their Chinese brethren. After prayer everyone Mubarak to all,” he added. Zain Siddique, a Pakistani student in shared greeting and hugged each other and pray for unity. Beijing, said after offering Eid-ul-Fitr, Pakistani students greet each It’s a symbol of love and solidarity between Chinese and other followed by a great lunch or dinner. “We exchange, wishes foreigners. with many other non-Muslim communities including our Chinese So many Halal food restaurants are serving Muslims mates,” said Zain. around Niujie. Soon after offering prayers, the Muslims Pakistani Embassy in Beijing also held Eid prayer inside went to food and sweet shops with their respective family embassy Mosque. A large number of Pakistani community offered members to mark the day of blessings. prayer there. All Pakistani prayed for peace, unity, solidarity, prog- Talking to DiploMag, Siddique Hussain, a student ress, prosperity of China and Pakistan besides praying to further the from Afghanistan said that the government of China attaches brotherhood and friendship between the two countries that also are great importance to religious rituals of Muslims. “Eid-ul- strategic partners now and have same policy on international issues.

27 akistan was the first countries where China began its ‘One Balochistan: Belt, One Road’ project under the framework of the Chi- na-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) – a series of roads, railways, airports, ports, water, power, and telecoms projects Pthat provide fundamental public services for economic development, Troubled Heart social production, and daily life, and form the backbone of modern societies. As the idea of CPEC connecting China’s largest province, Xinjiang, with Pakistan’s Gwadar port in Balochistan emerged, the of CPEC Heals anti-Pakistan forces tried hard to subvert the Baloch. However, it turned out to be an impossible thing as Baloch know about their Unconditional support of the friends and foes and they are well aware of the plan devised by major political parties of enemy countries to not let Pakistan in general and Balochistan in specific terms develop. Balochistan and Khyber In a major breakthrough this year, leaders of top Baloch tribes, who were traditionally thought to be opposed to CPEC, Pakhtunkhwa has defeated vowed to fully support CPEC and promised to provide security to nefarious design of enemies the Chinese nationals working in across Balochistan. The leaders of different tribes of Balochistan also downplayed negative western against to the game-changing propaganda vis-a-vis China’s investment made under CPEC and project — CPEC vowed to support the initiatives of CPEC & Belt and Road. The Baloch leaders’ delegation led by the ex-governor Balochistan, former Chief Minister Balochistan Dr. Abdul Malik Sadia Khan Baloch, Central Joint Secretary of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Bayazeed Kasi, Balochistan Minister for Sports and Culture Abdul Khaliq Hazara, Member of Provisional Assembly (MP) Sanaullah

28 Baloch, eminent tribal leaders Abdul Kasi, Nasir Zaman Khan, the important content of the BRI, and it is also the spirit, base Senator Muhammad Daud, Mir Liaqat Ali, Mir Mehroze Marri, and goal of the BRI,” Song said, calling for working together Mohammad Humayun Barakzai, Faisal Hayat Khan, Chairperson for cultural win-win cooperation, openness, inclusiveness and of Balochistan Institute of Research and Development (BIRD) innovation and for more cooperation, not only between govern- Ms Javeria Tareen and political leaders, businessmen, and think ments, but also social organizations. tanks recently visited Urumqi, Kashgar, and Beijing. Expressing his views, Balochistan Governor Amanullah The western media has been projecting Balochistan’s Khan Yasinzai said the Silk Road community building initia- nationalist tribes and groups including Marri, Bugti and National tive between Balochistan and Xinjiang will help boost CPEC. Party led by Dr Malik as critics of the CPEC. However, their Yasinzai said that “CPEC enters in second phase which is based open support to CPEC is seen to be a major development. Gov- on social development, capacity building and welfare projects. ernor of Balochistan, Amanullah Khan Yasinzai, along with Balochistan and Xinjiang are sister provinces as both fall in other representatives of local tribes also inaugurated the Silk geo-strategic and ethnic location.” He said Gawadar is China’s Road Community Building in Xinjiang, China. The Silk Road billion-dollar gateway to subcontinent. “We need to learn from Community Building Initiative was launched at a thematic forum Chinese development model of Xinjiang to speed up development of people-to-people connectivity of the Second Belt and Road in Balochistan. We also need China’s cooperation in education, Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing on April 25. agriculture and women development sectors,” he added. He When the delegation met with Mr Song Tao, the head of stressed for the need to start exchange programs for Balochistan the International Department of the Communist Party of Chi- tribe leaders and political leaders to learn from Chinese models. na’s Central Committee, the Chinese official expressed that the While further cementing the relationship, Yasinzai pro- people-to-people connectivity was themed as “working together posed that there is a need to promote university-to-university for better lives, connectivity and cooperation”. cooperation between the two countries as it would help build Mr Tao said that the thematic forum was aimed at building a knowledge-based society in Pakistan’s largest province of consensus and reviving the Silk Road spirit to create a brighter Balochistan and the establishment of vocational training institutes tomorrow. Since the First Belt and Road Forum held in 2017, there in Quetta and Gwadar which would help impart modern skills have been extensive and meaningful exchanges and cooperation and training on the local youth. between China and other Belt and Road partner countries involving Bayazeed Kasi said that PTI government was pursuing people from all walks of life. “People-to-people connectivity is Prime Minister Imran Khan’s vision of boosting mutual coop-

The western media has been projecting Balochistan’s nationalist tribes and groups including Marri, Bugti and National Party led by Dr Malik as critics of the CPEC. However, their open support to CPEC is seen to be a major development

29 eration in fields of agriculture, education and health between the Khan said that the delegates had visited three cities of China two all-weather friends. Kasi opined: “we are learning from China and learnt from Chinese development model. “We need Xin- how to alleviate poverty as China has pulled 800 million people jiang development model to develop Balochistan. We ensure out of poverty. The poverty alleviation model would largely help foolproof security for all Chinese companies. Our all political Pakistan build a community of shared destiny working closely and tribal leaders of Balochistan fully support CPEC,” he said. with the vision of Chinese visionary President Xi Jinping.” Affirm- Faisa Hayat was of the view that the Pakistan and China ing that CPEC has emerged as an opportunity for the people of need to develop closer institutional collaboration so as the two Balochistan who have faced terrorism and negligence, he said, friendly states could build closer cooperation irrespective of our prestigious armed forces have overcome all security issues the change in leadership at various levels. He said the mili- and crushed almost all terrorist, adding that CPEC has paved that tary-to-military ties between the two countries were exceptional way for world to investment in Pakistan. and there was a need to promote people-to-people contacts. Mir Mehroze Marri said he was happy to observe the devel- Expressing satisfaction over CPEC, Javeria Tareen stressed the opment model of China. The Baloch leader said that he along need for establishment of more skill building and vocational with other leaders was looking for such projects in Balochistan training centers in Balochistan to train local youth and create on poverty alleviation, adding that Balochs needed technology opportunities for them. “We need to focus on women’s devel- transfer in hospitals and educational sectors. The tribal elder said opment projects and give more opportunities under people to that Balochistan has been neglected in past but now CPEC has people exchange programs,” she said. made the province important for not just Balochi people but for the people of Pakistan. Gawadar is important for both the coun- Baloch, Pashtun nationalists vow to protect CPEC projects tries on mutual understanding, he said, adding we should promote In a rare support to multi-billion-dollar CPEC, the senior Pakistan and CPEC for better future of our generation. leaders of major nationalist political parties of Balochistan and Humayun Barakzai said Pakistan and China need to promote Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) announced unconditional support people to people connectivity to help remove misunderstandings. to the game-changing project and vowed to stand by the Bei- “China is the only sincere friend Pakistan has today and we will jing Declaration. The Beijing Declaration was signed by the counter all propaganda against the CPEC. We need to construct representatives of the Political Parties of China and Pakistan new railway lines in Balochistan to promote local industries and at the First Meeting of Joint Consultation Mechanism (JCM) export products to world. We need cooperation in media sector at Beijing. Previously, the nationalist leaders had expressed to ensure encounter of all negative propaganda of western media reservations over CPEC route and the allocation of funds and against CPEC,” he said. had asked the governments of both countries to declare and Another Baloch leader Mir Liaqat Marri stressed the need complete the western route as the official route of the corridor for promotion of people-to-people contacts between Pakistan and because it was the shortest route between Gwadar Port and China following his visit to China and meeting with the Chinese China’s special economic zone (SEZ) in Kashgar. officials. “We will support CPEC projects with our lives, with Balochistan Governor Amanullah Khan Yasinzai, our tribes,” he said, adding that the fruits of CPEC should also senior leadership of National Party (NP), Balochistan Awami trickle down to the ignored people of Balochistan. Senator Daud Party (BAP), Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M),

30 Awami National Party (ANP), Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) and others vowed to stand by the consensus on CPEC in line with the spirit of recently-agreed unanimous declaration of joint consultation mechanism (JCM) between political parties Affirming that CPEC has emerged as an of Pakistan and China. opportunity for the people of Baloch- Governor Yasinzai said that JCM was the prime example of a mechanism that political parties should follow to support istan who have faced terrorism and national issues. Referring to the joint declaration at Beijing negligence, he said, our prestigious conclave hosted by the International Department of Communist armed forces have overcome all security Party of China (IDCPC), he said, Chinese minister Song Tao had issues and crushed almost all terrorist, assured full cooperation for the development of less developed adding that CPEC has paved that way for areas of both provinces. The governor expressed that the political consensus would aid in speeding up CPEC projects in both world to investment in Pakistan provinces, thus enabling the young skilled workers to benefit from new jobs. Proposing to build a knowledge-based society in for transparency and accountability in CPEC projects. “There is Pakistan’s largest province, he said, there was a need to promote a need for the appointment of good managers for CPEC projects cooperation between the universities of Balochistan and Chin. He so that CPEC could be protected from all controversies,” he said. was keen on the establishment of vocational training institutes in PkMAP MPA Nasrullah Baraich said that his party stands by the Quetta and Gwadar which would help impart modern skills and JCM agreement and hopes that both countries would focus on the training on the local youth. development of Balochistan’s ignored areas. “We need to under- The Baloch and Pashtuns leaders changed their stance stand that CPEC’s success is connected to peace in Afghanistan, after Chinese authorities assured that under the next phase of therefore, both Pakistan and China should focus on the Afghan CPEC, there will be a greater focus on development projects in peace process as well,” he said. Balochistan and KP. The development led NP Secretary-General Shagufta Malik, an ANP lawmaker from KP, said that her Jan Mohammad Buledi to say that JCM had unanimously vowed party is fully supporting CPEC, adding that there was a need to to support CPEC projects and this political consensus should shift focus on the immediate completion of CPEC’s western routes now usher in the development of infrastructure and employment as it was the shortest link between Pakistan and China. Jamiat projects across Balochistan. “People of Balochistan have been Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl’s (JUI-F) Mahmood Ahmed Bhittanni said ignored in the past. Now that CPEC has brought an opportunity that the western districts of KP should get a lion’s share of KP’s for the people of both these provinces, we hope that the federal allocation of CPEC projects as more employment in areas lying and provincial governments would ensure that the people benefit outside CPEC route would bring peace and stability. BAP leader from CPEC,” he said, while further saying that he had shared and younger brother of Nawab of Kalat, Prince Omar Khan stressed some observations over the planning of some projects in Gwadar on the promotion of people-to-people contacts between Pakistan which needed to be reviewed by the authorities of both countries. and China. “We will support CPEC projects with our lives, with Explaining the issues, he said that the Gwadar Eastbay our tribes,” he said, adding that the fruits of CPEC should also Expressway has blocked the access of local fishermen to the sea trickle down to the ignored people of Balochistan as well. which is a problem because this is their only source of income. BNP-Mengal lawmaker Akbar Mengal said that CPEC should The Chinese assured that measures would be taken to address be made people-friendly and for this purpose, youth engagement the issues. KP Member of Provincial Assembly (MPA) Ibrahim should be given top priority. He said that the political parties of Khattak said that CPEC emerged as an opportunity for the people Balochistan unanimously supported CPEC. Faisal Hayat Khan was of KP who have faced terrorism for a long time. “Terrorism of the view that CPEC was a mutually beneficial project for both harmed KP and Balochistan and destroyed the infrastructure Pakistan and China and it can constitute win-win collaboration of both provinces. CPEC, however, has breathed a fresh life to between the two nations. Bilal Durrani said that people-to-people KP’s fortunes. Rashakai Special Economic Zone would soon be contact between the two states was the need of the hour and youth completed to become the first SEZ of Pakistan under CPEC and should be given more opportunities under the people exchange it reflects how the corridor would benefit the people,” he said. He program. also called for priority to be given to student exchange program After the Baloch and Pashtun leaders expressed complete and employment opportunities for youth. satisfaction over CPEC projects, they urged promotion of entre- preneurship under the CPEC initiative so that younger generation KP MPA Ahmed Khan Kundi, who is a member of the could reap the fruits of CPEC. They urged China and Pakistan to Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), said that both provinces form introduce business-friendly visa regimes between the two sister the western part of the country constitute more than half of countries so that people could reap dividends of the CPEC. After Pakistani territory. These areas had been ignored in the past and acquiring support of the tribesmen, it is now the responsibility they should be given due priority in the second phase of CPEC. of all the stakeholders to never let the hostile powers sabotage PkMAP’s Zakir Khan Kasi was of the view that there is a need CPEC and to never expose any weak link to these adversaries.

31 CPEC: Unprecedented Development Opportunities Await Pakistan

Cheng Xizhong

ince the government of Prime Minister Imran Pakistan foreign ministry in a statement said that Paki- Khan came to power in August 2018, Pakistan stan “strongly condemns” India’s actions towards the has been in serious financial difficulties for “internationally recognized disputed territory”. In this quite a long time, but the overall economic and condition, relations between the two countries have been Ssecurity situation has continued to improve over the past strained. Kashmir Issue, a complex dispute has been year.Since he took office, PM Khan has vowed to fight elevated to an ideological tug of war between India and corruption and lift Pakistan out of poverty, enlisting Pakistan over years. However, on the Kashmir issue, them as the most urgent tasks of his governance, and has Pakistan government has vowed to use “all possible taken a series of effective measures. The military has options” to counter the autonomy revocation. At the also given PTI government strong support in domestic same time, Pakistan has always urged international and foreign policies. attention to Kashmir crisis. Although frequent protests and demonstrations It should be noted that recently Imran Khan has by the oppositions have constantly caused troubles for made it very clear that anyone who tries to enter the the government, the status of the ruling party has never Indian-controlled Kashmir to fight is the enemy of the been effectively threatened. India’s Hindu nationalist Pakistan and enemy of Kashmir people, in case India government has moved to take away the special status will make use of it and accuse Pakistan of supporting that the territory of Kashmir has held for many years. terrorist activities.The Pakistani government, the mili-

32 tary and all the political parties are highly united as one on the Kashmir Issue. Therefore, the government has got full support from the whole nation and the ruling foundation of PM Khan has further been consolidated.Both India and Pakistan have frequently taken a tough stance and exchanged The construction of CPEC has yielded fire along the Kashmir Line of Control, occasionally voic- ing threats of war, including nuclear war. In my point of fruitful results, produced positive view, either the Indian defense minister’s statement about social and economic benefits, and reconsidering the policy of not being the first to use nuclear effectively promoted Pakistan’s weapons, or PM Khan’s speech on nuclear weapons, both national development and improved sides are trying to avoid the outbreak of a war. people’s livelihood. The friendly coop- Judging from the current situation, the possibility of large-scale armed conflict or full-scale war between India eration between China and Pakistan is and Pakistan can be ruled out. In terms of security, Pakistan not only in the common interest of the government has continued to strengthen its counter-terrorism two countries, but also conducive to measures, effectively curbing large-scale terrorist activities maintaining international peace, throughout the country, and severely suppressing extremist and terrorist forces. Therefore, the number of terrorist stability, fairness and justice attacks has continuously been decreasing. Now, top priority for Pakistan is social and economic development, poverty development, of which 27 new projects will be launched elimination, continuous enhancement of comprehensive within this year. In the new stage, the scope of corridor national strength, which requires efforts to create a stable construction will continue to expand and the pace will domestic environment as well as a peaceful and tranquil continue to accelerate. Through full consultation between surrounding environment. Although relations between India the two sides, China will actively help Pakistan carry out and Pakistan have been tense since February this year, projects in the field of people’s livelihood. Pakistan government has appropriately handled relations The successful CPEC development has made govern- with India, thus maintaining a relatively peaceful regional ments and enterprises in many countries see great potential environment. investment value. Therefore, recently, enterprises from On September 23, Prime Minister Imran Khan said in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries, as well as major an interview that China has provided Pakistan with tremen- investment countries in the world such as China, the United dous opportunities for development. China and Pakistan are States, Germany, Japan, South Korea and Singapore, have all-weather strategic partners. They have always trusted, sent delegations to Pakistan for feasibility studies, and are understood and supported each other. The friendship between actively considering large-scale investment in Pakistan’s the two countries is unbreakable. industrial parks.With the completion and operation of more The construction of the China-Pakistan Economic and more projects in the CPEC, social and economic benefits Corridor (CPEC) has yielded fruitful results, produced have started to emerge. On the one hand, the tax revenue of positive social and economic benefits, and effectively the Pakistani government is increasing, the long-standing promoted Pakistan’s national development and improved financial difficulties are gradually alleviated, and on the people’s livelihood. The friendly cooperation between China other hand, more and more tangible benefits are brought to and Pakistan is not only in the common interest of the two the Pakistani people.China has invested tremendously in the countries, but also conducive to maintaining international construction of the CPEC. China sincerely helps Pakistan peace, stability, fairness and justice. to develop. The Pakistani people not only express their China is willing to work with Pakistan to promote the gratitude from the bottom of their hearts, but also cherish continuous development of the CPEC and build a closer the friendship and cooperation between the two countries. community of shared future in the new era. The construction Pakistan government and people have recognized that the of the CPEC is progressing smoothly. 22 projects with a construction of the CPEC is making Pakistan enter the total investment of 19 billion US dollars in the first phase fast track of development and Pakistan is now faced with have been completed or are close to completion. This has unprecedented development opportunities. alleviated Pakistan’s energy shortage and partially built transportation infrastructure, thus laying a good foundation for Pakistan’s future comprehensive social-economic Cheng Xizhong is the special commentator of China Economic development. Net. He is a visiting professor of Southwest University of Now, the CPEC construction has entered the second Political Science and Law, a senior fellow of the Charhar stage, focusing on industrial cooperation, agricultural Institute. He was the former defense attache in South Asia cooperation, Gwadar Port construction and socio-economic and the former UN senior military observer.

33 PAKISTAN-CHIN A FRIENDSHIP MAJOR DIPLOMA TIC MILESTONES

China and Pakistan reached Pakistan becomes the third Pakistani Prime Minister Huseyn border agreement. The boundary agree- Beijing and non-communist country, and Shaheed Suhrawardy and Chinese ment provisionally demarcated the frontier Karachi establish Sin o-Indian War breaks out China and Pakistan signed first Muslim one, to recognise Premier Zhou Enlai signing the between both neighbours. The final agreement diplomatic bet ween China and India. first formal trade agreement. the People & Republic of Treaty of Friendship Between China was signed by foreign ministers Chen Yi for the China. relations. and Pakistan in Beijing. Chinese side, and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto for the Pakistani side. Pakistan cedes the Trans-Karakoram China and the U.S. The Karakoram Highway A Tract to China, Chinese President China and Pakistan provide support through linking the mountainous 300-megawatt ending border Jiang Zemin pays a reach a comprehen- Northern Pakistan with Pakistan helps the U.S. nuclear power plant, Pakistan to the Afghan disputes. state visit to sive nuclear co-opera- Western China officially arrange the 1972 Nixon built with Chinese guerillas fighting Soviet Pakistan. tion agreement. opens. visit to China. help in Punjab prov- forces. ince, is completed. A joint-ventured Chinese-Pakistani tank, the MBT-2000 The Sino-Pakistani Pakistan (Al-Khalid) MBT is Pakistan and China joint-ventured welcomes China donates completed. signed a $110 million China and Pakistan sign a free Pakistan and Wen multirole fighter the Chinese trade agreement and build a The F-22P frigate, comes The building of the Gwadar contract for the China conduct a $260 million in Jiabao visits aircraft – the JF-17 Olympic railway through the Karakoram into service with the deep sea port begins, with construction of a joint anti-terrorism dollars to Pakistan. More Thunder (FC-1 Fierce Torch in an Highway to link China's rail Pakistani Navy. China as the primary investor. housing project on drill. flood-struck than US$ 30 billion Dragon) is formally Islamabad sports network to Gwadar Port. Multan Road in Lahore. Pakistan rolled out. stadium. worth of deals were signed.

Pakistan buys air-to-air SD 10 China presents Pakistan and China Chinese Premier Li Management of missiles from China Chinese Presi- Pakistan and China Chinese Premier announced China announced $6.5 resolution at UNSC approved the Pak-China Keqiang visits Gwadar Port is for its 250 JF 17 dent Xi Jinping signed an agreement investment of $31.5 billion billion to finance the backed by Pakistan to Economic Corridor. The Pakistan. Trade handed over to thunder fighter visits Pakistan. to start a 27km metro in Pakistan mainly in energy, construction of a discuss forced annex- $18 billion project will also between China and state-run Chinese fleet Signs 51 MoUs, Orange Line train infrastructure and port major nuclear power ation of Indian Occu- include the construction of Pakistan hit figure Overseas Port including CPEC. project in Lahore. expansion for Gwadar. project in Karachi pied Kashmir. a 200km-long tunnel. of $12 billion. Holdings .

34 PAKISTAN-CHIN A FRIENDSHIP MAJOR DIPLOMA TIC MILESTONES

35 CPEC’S BEST YET TO COME IN NEW PHASE: MUSHAHID HUSSAIN SAYED

By Hamid Khan Wazir

eing a close observer of China-Pakistan Economic CPEC is yet to come in the new phase! Special Economic Zones, Corridor (CPEC), how do you view the progress Agriculture, social sector development, tourism and culture, plus made over the project. How about the new stage relocation of Chinese small and medium scale industry are all on of the CPEC? the cards in the new phase of CPEC. BChina-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which is the flagship of President Xi Jinping’s Belt & Road Initiative (BRI), the biggest How do you view the trajectory of diplomatic relationship development and diplomatic initiative of the 21st Century, is between Pakistan and China in historic perspective? already a success story with huge pluses for Pakistan. CPEC It’s a unique, brotherly bond that has no precedent or par- has given new hope, confidence and faith in the future to the allels in the annals of Diplomatic history, and a relationship that people of Pakistan, improved the image of Pakistan as an invest- has endured immense changes in the last 50 years in our own ment-friendly destination, revived dead projects like Gwadar countries, in the region and the world as a whole. Basically, mutu- Port (which is operational now) and Thar Coal (generating ally reinforcing core interests are the foundation of this strategic electricity for the national grid), resolved Pakistan’s chronic partnership, but there’s also mutual love and respect, sometimes 25-year old energy crisis, strengthened the Federation through bordering on altruism. Both countries have demonstrated their infrastructure connectivity, provided Pakistan ‘strategic space’ capacity to take tough decisions to strengthen this relationship. both in regional and world politics and generated employment In 1963, we sought friendship with China in the face of strong for 70,000 Pakistanis, plus 20,000 new scholarships for Pakistani opposition of both superpowers of that period, the US and USSR. students are in the offing for the next three years, apart from In 2013, China offered CPEC to Pakistan at a time when no other 28,000 Pakistani students studying in China. And the best of country, neither our Muslim Ummah brethren nor the West, were

36 willing to invest in what felt was an unstable, volatile, terror-infested country. So CPEC was China’s vote of confidence in the future of Pakistan and its people, for which China deserves our gratitude.

How do you view the progress made on Karachi Circular, Peshawar Railways, Quetta Railway and other mega infrastructure projects. Why these projects have been put on the backburner? The failure to get these projects off the ground reflects a lack of political will and monumental incompetence on our part, with a large bureaucratic red-tape playing its part to retard these projects!

How do you see the vision of President Xi Jinping about connecting regional and transregional economies? The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) of President Xi Jinping is probably the most important diplomatic and developmental initiative of the 21st Century, with a size, scale and speed that have no precedent. The future belongs to what I call are the 3 Cs: Corridors, Culture & Connectivity. with China to counter Modi’s annexationist and expansionist policies which are a common threat What, in your view, would be the objective of Prime Minister Imran to both Pakistan and China; speed up CPEC full Khan to visit China again in a few days’ time? throttle and take full political ownership of CPEC The timing of the visit is important, coming after Modi’s annexation by fully supporting BRI and also expand CPEC of Kashmir on August 5 and also preceding President Xi Jinping’s Visit to include Afghanistan and Iran; use Chinese to India. I feel the objective should be 3-fold: build a solid and strategic good offices to build better ties with Russia, since united front, with specific areas of coordination in the civil-military sphere, President Putin & President Xi Jinping are the best of friends. We badly need an outreach to Moscow and Beijing can be the bridge for this purpose.

How do you view Prime Minister Imran Khan’s speech on Kashmir at the UNGA? Do you believe that Pakistan galvanized international support on Kashmir keeping in view speeches made by Chinese, Turkish, Malaysian and others? The Prime Minister’s speech was a forceful and timely expose of Modi & the RSS Gang, and their ideological affinity to Nazism and fascism, plus without pulling any punches on Islamophobia, as plain talking was badly needed. For too long, Muslim leaders have not stated what they really felt, barring honorable exceptions like President Erdogan, Prime Minister Mahathir or the Iranian leadership. Modi has clearly bitten off more than he can chew, he’s on the defensive, he’s divided India politically, he’s ended up internationaliz- ing Kashmir and India has never received such negative and critical comments as Modi has after August 5. Thanks to the Kashmiri people’s heroic resistance and our own efforts, with the opposition and government on the same page, public opinion has been mobilized internationally but it needs to be sustained. What is now needed is a healing touch at home, rather than the politics of vendetta, vengeance and victimization, so we have national harmony and stamina to sustain a long-term strategy.

37 SukiSuki KinariKinari ProjectProject AddingAdding PowerPower toto Peoples’Peoples’ LivesLives

38 Suki Kinari Hydropower Project Chairman Zhang Shiyun says construction work on the project is in full swing. US$ 1.9 billion project would produce 884 megawatts of electricity to the national grid by year 2022

Mian Zawar Hussain

uki Kinari Hydropower Project construction work has been put on a fast track and despite some initial hiccups; the company’s chairman believes that the project would be completed within the deadline. The project is a part Sof China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and perhaps the biggest plant in Kaghan Valley of District Mansehra in Khyber Pakhtunkwa (KP) province. Suki Kinari, a key CPEC initiative, is a run-of-the-river project at 166-kilometre-long Kunhar River, which originates at the Lulusar Lake nearly 48 kilometers upstream from Naran Valley, runs through the valley and ends up in the Jhelum River. Pakistan had identified hydropower generation strength of River Kunhar in mid-50s; however, the study for Suki Kinari project was initiated in 1960. Surprising as it may seem, the feasibility study did not see the light of the day for almost a decade, thus, the potential of Kunhar River could not be materialized. Finally in 2016, the prominent Chinese engineering company – China Gezhouba Group Corporation (CGGC) – took up the challenge to materialize the project on the special request by Pakistan. The total cost of the Project is US$1.9 billion and it is being developed on Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model, which takes away the entire burden from the KP government. Under the agreement, CGGC would operate the project for 30 years and then it would be transferred to KP government forever. In a bid to understand the project, its impact and how it would be completed in time, especially, after initial hurdles, DiploMag sat down with the Suki Kinari Hydropower Project (Pvt.) Ltd. Chairman/CEO Mr Zhang Shiyun. In the exclusive interview, the chairman said that the construction work has achieved 41.85 percent target and river closure has recently been completed.

How does a run-of-the-river project function? What were the issues that caused delay? Mr Shiyun: Run-of-the-river projects are designed to draw water from the river, take it to the turbines in a powerhouse located downstream through tunnel and after producing energy, divert it back to the river – with water remaining available to produce energy through yet another similar set up downstream. This process is called cascading. Despite some initial hindrances, we have now picked up pace and some parts of the construction

39 It was decided that the company would plant at least 10 trees at the construction site for cutting down one tree. Considering it out duty, we gladly accepted the proposal project are already half-a-month ahead of its schedule. Land acquisition was a major issue but the impediments have now been removed. The company had to change construction schemes a bit to move ahead. Hopefully, the project would be completed as per the scheduled deadline – December 31, 2022. We have full support of local and provincial government, especially the district commissioners have always been very cooperative and whenever there were any issues, they helped them resolved amicably.

Were there any issues in acquiring land? Mr Shiyun: Land acquisition in Pakistan creates a lot of problems for foreign investors. In order to attract investors for future projects, Pakistan government should consider introducing new laws or amend the existing ones so that the investors can acquire land in a timely manner without facing much trouble. Since the dam site falls in the forest area and no investor is allowed to cut-off trees under the law, we had to hold over 20 meetings with the officials of the KP government. We were not willing to cut down a single tree but had to clean some of the forest – which under the law was prohibited – to begin construction work. During the meeting, it was decided that the company would plant at least 10 trees at the construction site for cutting down one tree. Considering it out duty, we gladly accepted the proposal. Once both the parties agreed, the provincial assembly passed a special resolution for allowing the company to acquire forest land. The process took some time and caused delay to the project but this is how the land acquisition issue was settled. Thanks to KP Government. for the locals as around 4000 youth were initially inducted and What would be the installed capacity of the Suki Kinari as the construction works comes into full swing, roughly 2000 Hydropower Project? What would be the cost of the electricity more people would get job. You see, our project has brought produced by the project? How many jobs have been created? employment opportunities for thousands of locals and if you Mr. Shiyun: Once completed, the project would add 884 add direct and indirect beneficiaries, the number would grow megawatts to the national grid. All four units of the project would beyond 10,000. Sale of local cement, diesel, explosive etc has start functioning by December 2022. Initially, Suki Kinari Project grown to manifolds and the local businesses thrived after the was to be executed by China Gezhouba while a Pakistani & Saudi project was started. Arabian company had to invest in the project. However, when the investment did not come, the China Gezhouba along with the What are the additional benefits of the project and how local HK Company decided to complete the project with their the company is fulfilling its Corporate Social Responsi- investment for the benefit of both the countries. bility (CSR)? The approximate cost of the electricity produced by Suki Mr. Shiyun: The company has spent at least Rs20 mil- Kinari would be reasonably good despite heavy investment as lion each year for the benefit of the local population. Under the project is being built at a high altitude. We expect each unit the CSR, the company has constructed seven bridges on would cost 8.8 cents. In addition, the project has provided jobs Kunhar River from Nalan to Paras and these bridges would

40 be handed over to the communities once the construction and we will make more contribution for the locals considering it work is completed. Our Chinese staff has observed ‘Learn our obligation. from Lei Feng Day’ at local schools, the Chinese staff has attended various community and school events where they What were the earlier projects that CGGC completed in cleaned up parks, schools, and other community locations Pakistan? or offered help to others. Mr. Shiyun: CGGC completed the Neelum Jhelum Power Last year, we successfully held painting competition Project and it was the most difficult project in Pakistan. But the for the students around our job site.This year, around 3500 company mobilized resources from all over China to get the students would take part in a speech competition and express project done. Likewise, we also faced numerous challenges at their thoughts on “Dream” in an upcoming event at company’s Suki Kinari project but did not hesitate to mobilize resources site. Government & Army officials as well as academia had irrespective of high costs involved. I am confident that we will witnessed the competition last year and appreciated the efforts, complete the project before time as excellence and perfection saying such events inspire students. We take this opportunity are the hallmarks of China Gezhouba Group. CPEC is win-win to teach local youth China’s traditional culture of denoting cooperation between China and Pakistan and our company school supplies. We also teach Chinese language to local would do whatever it takes to keep to our tradition of finishing students as CGGC always keeps Sino-Pak friendship high the project in time.

41 NAB Activism Detrimental to CPEC

NAB overtures may scuttle further FDI initiatives as foreign investors have started feeling the heat of the bureau’s highhandedness. NAB spokesman, however, says there is no bar on probing CPEC projects Mir Sahtak Ahmadani

hile the multi-billion-dollars China-Pakistan hopeless and planning to leave due to what they Economic Corridor (CPEC) turns four this call ‘the hounding’ by NAB officials. Exclusive year and enters its second stage, the Chinese background interviews conducted with around half investors are apparently losing their steam a dozen officials of Chinese companies working and enthusiasm to explore more investment in Pakistan have revealed that four years into the Wopportunities in Pakistan – thanks to a policy of witch-hunt and CPEC investment, they were losing hope and excessive measures adopted by the country’s top anti-corrup- esteem to continue with their projects. tion watchdog – the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). “We came here when even Pakistani busi- CPEC is a regional connectivity framework aiming to benefit nesses were shifting abroad. We came here to the countries of South and Central Asian regions by improving help our iron-brother, Pakistan to help its energy road, rail, and air transportation systems. It is also flagship proj- crisis and built necessary infrastructure. Now ect of Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) – an umbrella initiative we are being coerced and insulted by officials launched by China’s visionary leader President Xi Jinping, of the NAB. Even those Chinese companies that aimed at linking around 140 countries from various continents invested in various projects under the umbrella through infrastructure building and linking road and maritime of CPEC and helped Pakistan at a time when no networks for better trade and communication. one was ready to invest here are currently facing While the federal government has desperately been hounding by the accountability body,” an official attracting foreign investors to help revive the country’s eco- of a company, who wished not to be named, said. nomic machine, the Chinese investors who invested billions On the other hand, NAB spokesman Nawa- of dollars into Pakistan’s economy a few years back, are now zish Ali Asim says there is no government order restraining NAB from probing the CPEC projects. “Kindly assist me about any order of government directing not to inquire any project on the request of NHA? Or NAB itself will not inquire any project completed or is being to complete any project? Thirdly, if you have any order in your mind that NAB has started inquiry about the tariff of IPP? Fourthly, kindly also assist me, if there is any order restraining NAB from conducting an inquiry into any CEPC project,” said the NAB spokesman. Though the spokesman requested DiploMag to wait for detailed answers till September 30 but did not provide further details.

42 In July this year, NAB launched an inquiry into Chinese embassy was trying its best to attract Chinese the Rs134-billion Thakot-Havelian scheme. In February, investors to come and help Pakistan as Islamabad is our Communications Minister Murad Saeed blamed former iron-brother. “However, Chinese investors already facing planning minister Ahsan Iqbal for accepting bribes of Rs70 fears of security issues are losing interest now. We are not billion in Sukkur-Multan Motorway project and asked even halfway through of the total portfolio of CPEC which NAB to probe the matter. NAB spokesman, however, was estimated at around US$ 60 billion. Out of the total has chosen not to respond to successive queries about the amount, we have only invested US$20 billion in Pakistan matter, without contradicting the claims. which has made a huge impact on Pakistan’s economy,” The string of media claims and allegations of corrup- the official said. The source said that while Chinese tion have badly hurt the esteem of the Chinese investors companies are transferring their warehouses and factories and a few companies have closed their businesses and out of China, Pakistan could attract FDI. However, NAB have left for China. A diplomatic source told DiploMag harassment may jeopardize the joint efforts being taken that at least a few companies have been issued notices by by governments of China and Pakistan. NAB and answers are being sought about the agreements But Chinese companies are not the only few who signed between China and Pakistan. “This (NAB action) are feeling the heat of the NAB pressure. On August 7, has badly hurt the confidence of the Chinese investors. 2019, Adviser to Prime Minister on Commerce Abdul They came here to help Pakistan but the allegations of Razak Dawood told media that he has approached Prime corruption have left the Chinese entrepreneurs in shock. Minister Imran Khan to seek his advice on stopping NAB You know corruption allegations are a very serious matter from taking action against the private businesses. “NAB for China as our government has zero-tolerance policy is scuttling the business environment. We have to stop it against corruption. Baseless allegations against Chinese now (as) it’s an area of concern,” the adviser said, adding, companies have compelled the Chinese investors to pack “I have discussed it with the prime minister, it is not a and leave Pakistan,” the official said. good thing, NAB is not for every businessman, we have When asked to elaborate, the official said that the to stop it,” he added.

43 NAB action has badly hurt the confidence of the Chinese investors. They came here to help Pakistan but the allegations of corruption have left the Chinese entrepreneurs in shock

Business community leaders also believe that NAB’s excessive intrusion into private businesses has been impacting the country’s economy and causing panic among investors, especially, the foreign investors. They say that Chinese investors are scared of the country’s anti-graft body. Officials in the planning commission also have the same feeling. “NAB inquiries into alleged irregularities, corruption in the award of various CPEC projects to some Chinese and other companies have generated wrong message to foreign investors. The Chinese companies have established or are in the process of establishing infrastructure, power plants, motorways, hospitals, schools, colleges, universities, airports, cross border optical fiber cable etc. But, they are under siege due to NAB’s exces- sponsors of power plants established under CPEC are sive actions,” an official at the planning ministry told DiploMag facing NAB investigations. requesting anonymity. Irked by NAB’s meddling in tariff affairs, the National “CPEC is a lifeline for our economy and these projects Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra), in its latest should not be made controversial,” said the official, adding, Flagship State of the Industry Report 2018, also expressed that “CPEC was not only a project for the present but it has the serious concerns over the role of NAB in questioning potential to pass on its benefits to the future generations as well.” tariff determinations of almost all projects. “Almost all Some investors during off the record conversation expressed fear the projects on which Nepra had made determinations and disappointment. They said they feel disgrace due to NAB’s in the past have been questioned by NAB, and the way excessive involvement in CPEC project in the name of uprooting the investigations are being conducted, it has completely the menace of corruption. stifled the morale of Nepra professionals,” the report says. They said although CPEC projects were initiated with state Sources in power division revealed that PPIB, which sovereign guarantees and nature of the Chinese investment was is dealing with coal and RLNG-based power plants, had entirely different, yet they feel harassed due to the actions so far asked different concerned departments to appoint focal taken by the anti-graft body. They said under CPEC, Pakistan will persons to deal with NAB. They said that the NAB inquiries emerge as an economic hub in the region, because the Chinese are more about determination of tariff by NEPRA while investment is assurance of economic development of the whole other issues are also made part of the investigation. Many region. retired and incumbent officials of Nepra had been facing Reportedly, NAB has started investigation into power plants NAB inquiries with respect to tariffs granted to different set up under CPEC. And, the Chinese companies are engaged in CPEC related and other projects. establishing power plants worth approximately $35 billion, which Interestingly, Pakistan’s anti-graft body has report- in result will ultimately help in doing away the load shedding edly decided to probe into the alleged 14billion rupees from the country. The NAB initiated inquiry against two coal corruption in the award of contract of Karachi-Lahore fire power projects of CPEC namely 1320 MW Sahiwal and 1320 Motorway’s Abdul Hameed section (230km). NAB, after MW Port Qasim coal power projects. At present, Power Division, ascertaining the irregularities in the award of Rs 148billion Private Power & Infrastructure Board (PPIB), National Electric motorway project during the inquiry, decided to send the Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra), Government of Punjab and case to the next step of the investigation.

44 Iron Brothers all set to ink FTA-II, Pakistani exports to go up

45 down to $31.82 billion. However, the $5.76 billion reduction in the trade deficit was undergirded by the deceleration of economic growth from Pakistan-China FTA-II 5.5% to 3.3% and imposition of regulatory duties, resulting in a $6 billion fall in imports. As a percentage of gross domestic likely to be implemented product (GDP), the trade deficit came marginally down from 11.9% in FY18 to 11.2% in FY19. by next year China has been the principal source of Pakistan’s trade deficit. In FY15, the trade deficit with China was $8.05 billion, Ghulam Abbas which made up 36.31% of Pakistan’s total trade deficit. In FY16, the trade imbalance rose to $10.44 billion or 43.67% of the total trade imbalance. The following two years saw the trade deficit enhance to $12.67 billion (38.39% of the total deficit) and $14 s Pakistan wants drastic reduction in billion (37.26% of the total deficit). In FY19, the trade deficit trade deficit especially with China, the with China came down to $10.89 billion, which accounted for much-awaited revised Pakistan China 34.22% of the country’s total trade deficit.Thus, between FY15 Free Trade Agreement (FTA-II) is and FY18, Pakistan’s trade deficit with China cumulatively likely to be implemented by January increased 74%. During the same period, Pakistan’s overall trade 2020. According to official sources imbalance registered a cumulative growth of 69.58%. Thus, the at Ministry of Commerce, Chinese growth in deficit with China outpaced that in the total deficit. In government may approve the already signed FTA-II by FY19, the trade deficit with China went down 22.23% while the AJanuary next year, which would help Pakistan in bridging the bilateral trade deficit which in financial year 2019 was $10.89 billion, which accounted for 34.22% of the country’s total trade deficit. Though the implementation on the revised FTA was expected by the end of this month but the officials at the ministry said it could be implemented with the start of next year. “The implementation is likely to commence by Janu- ary 2020. It is normal that there is some time lag between finalization/signing of an FTA and its implementation since both the governments have to get it ratified/approved through their internal mechanisms,” said the officials, adding that almost all the FTAs signed by Pakistan in the past had a time gap of 6 to 12 months between signing and implementation. In reply to a query, the officials said, various provisions of the revised FTA would be implemented according to the agreed timeline i.e. 5 years, 10 years and 15 years. The implementation phases are already agreed by the two countries. Talking about the benefits of the revised FTA, especially for Pakistan, the officials were of the view that implementation of Phase-2 of FTA shall significantly increase Pakistan’s exports to China and help reduce trade deficit between the two countries. Since the FTA-II is yet to be implemented, Pakistan was already availing the $1 billion export facility to China, announced earlier to double the existing trade volume of Pakistan. “Though the trade gap is still much high, the relaxed export of selected items under the $1 billion facility has ben- efited Pakistan,” said the officials. The present government, while contracting imports, has drastically reduced the trade deficit during the past one year. From $22.16 billion in FY15, the trade deficit went up to $23.9 billion in FY16. The next two years saw the trade imbalance balloon to $32.58 billion and $37.58 billion. In FY19, the trade deficit was brought

46 overall deficit fell 15.32%. This means in both expansion and exports of Pakistan. contraction, the trade deficit with China outpaced the overall deficit. According to proposed composition of 313 Priority Tariff Lines (TLs), the agriculture-based categories include 103 tariff FTA-II lines of garments and made-ups under the head of Articles of It may be recalled here that a protocol on the Phase-II of Apparel, 28 TLs for seafood, poultry, milk & cream, honey under the FTA-II has been signed by Pakistan and China during the the head of animal products, 24 TLs for yarn & carpets under the visit of the Prime Minister Imran Khan to Beijing on April 28, head of textiles, 21 TLs for prepared foodstuff, 20 TLs for leather, 2019. The Amending Protocol will form an integral part of the 12 TLs for cereals & fruits and 7 TLs for oilseeds, vegetable fats China-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement. Under the Phase-II, Pakistan & oils. The present solid agriculture-based economy of the country has secured enhanced and deeper concessions on products of its can give a head start to tap Chinese market in short- to medi- export interests, revision of safeguards mechanism for protection um-term. On the other hand, potential for non-agriculture-based of the domestic industry, inclusion of the balance of payment tariff lines seems to be in the medium- to long-term given limited clause as a safety valve against balance of payments difficulties, domestic base of these industries. However, sky is the limit for and effective enforcement of the electronic data exchange. these relatively smaller bases as China’s global imports of such The FTA-II is all set to significantly broaden the scope for items are more than 24 times of said items’ export from Pakistan. exports from Pakistan in medium-to-long term. Out of total 313 Out of 313 total proposed tariff lines, non-agriculture-based tariff lines (TLs) mutually agreed between two all-weather friends products are stated to be 98, including 15 TLs for fans, refrig- under the FTA-II draft, 215 belong to agriculture-based categories erators, ACs, hydraulic pumps, heat exchange units under head having national average yearly export of $7.33 billion. Chinese of machinery, 14 TLs for plastic, articles of plastics, 13 TLs for import of these items stands at $27.40 billion, more than three tractors, auto & motorcycle parts under the head of vehicles, 13 times the value of same product lines if compared with similar TLs for soaps & organic surface active agents, makeup preps, gelatin under the head of chemicals, 12 TLs for cereals & fruits, nine TLs for jewelry, eight TLs for bedding articles, mattresses, electric lamps, 7 TLs for footwear, and 19 TLS under the head of others including electronic accumulators, sanitary ware, manicure/ pedicure sets, conductors, cables, cement, glassware, iron & steel.

The major features of the agreement in Phase-II inter-alia are following: Market Access: Under the Phase-II of CPFTA, both countries will liberalize 75% of tariff lines for each other in a period of 10 years by China and 15 years by Pakistan. China will immediately eliminate tariffs on 313 most priority tariff lines of Pakistan’s export interest. Overall, China has granted concessions to products which include textiles and garments, seafood, meat and other animal products, prepared foods, leather, chemicals, plastics, oil seeds, footwear as well as engineering goods, including tractors, auto parts, home appliances, machineries, etc. Pakistan has offered market access to China on raw mate- rials, intermediate goods and machineries. Access to cheaper imported inputs and machinery will improve Pakistan’s export competitiveness and help upgrade its industrial production. Safeguard Measures: Safeguard Measures (SGM) are invoked to temporarily restrict imports of a product which cause injury or threaten to cause injury to the domestic industry. The existing SGM, in CPFTA were inadequate to address the concerns of the industry and have lapsed since these could only be invoked during the transition period i.e. 2007-12. Balance of Payment: This provision has been introduced in the Agreement as such measures can help to forestall the imminent threat of a serious decline in monetary reserves. Electronic Data Exchange: In order to avoid misdeclaration and under-invoicing of imports from China, a system of Electronic Data Exchange has been enforced on the trade taking place under the framework of the Free Trade Agreement.

47 48 route, through Pakistan and the Iran to the Gulf region, Africa, South Asia and, to a lesser extent, South-East Asia, Oceania and North America; Making CPEC first and the northern route, through Central Asia to the Russian Federation. The main heroin trafficking route from drug-free route of Afghanistan to the Russian Federation seems to cross Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan; this route is sometimes called the “north-eastern route”. We are making utmost efforts to secure the region the Southern route. We have a long and porous border with Afghanistan and Iran but we are fencing our borders and have already recorded Minister for Narcotics maximum seizures in the world. I have already directed to speed up process of establishment of Regional Directorate (RD) of the Anti-Narcotics Control & SAFRON Force (ANF) at Coastal Areas of Balochistan and Sindh. Work on ANF posts at Pasni, Gwadar, Jewani and other coastal areas must be acceler- Shehryar Khan Afridi ated to secure coastal areas of the country. I have directed my ministry to engage top experts from Ministry of Law, Academia, Council of Islamic By Shamim Mehmood Ideology (CII) and the Parliament to enact new laws to effectively deal with the menace of drug abuse in the country. PM Khan has given me special task of ow do you view the progress on China-Pa- making Pakistani youth free from all sorts of kistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and narcotics drugs. Since Pakistan has over 65 how do you see the future prospects of the percent of its population comprising of young- multi-billion-dollar project? sters, we have to make sure that our youth is HCPEC is progressing well by the grace of Allah and we protected from menace of drugs. We will leave hope this initiative launched by China’s visionary President no stone unturned to get Pakistan drug-free Xi Jinping would immensely help transform Pakistan into status. Since CPEC is engine of growth for the an economic giant of the region. country, we want to declare CPEC drug-free Being a cabinet minister, what is your vision about trade route so as youth of China and Pakistan the future prospects of China and Pakistan cooperation? could be safeguarded from drugs menace. Prime Minister Imran Khan has zero-tolerance policy With 95 percent conviction ratio, ANF has the on illicit drugs. The ministry of Narcotics Control, along biggest conviction rate in the world. The ANF with its domestic and international partners, would pursue is in process of building its Coastal RD and a rigorous drive to make Pakistan a drug-free country. Per land has already been procured for establish- the vision of PM Khan, I plan to coordinate with Chinese ment of posts at Pasni, Jewani and Gwadar. government to help make CPEC the first trans-regional We have launched joint awareness drive along drug-free route of the region and all necessary measures with the United Nations to inform our youth would be adopted to achieve this target. Since Pakistan has about the drug abuse. We will use social and a geo-strategic location, Pakistan would take along Iran, conventional media to spread awareness among Afghanistan and China to ensure the region free from illicit youth on drugs. I have also directed authorities drugs. We will work with our regional and global partners to to conduct fresh national drug abuse survey. I make the world free from menace of drugs. Pakistan would plan to hold an interaction with representatives take all necessary measures to attain this goal. of pharmaceutical industry and take them on You know, Pakistan is a poppy-free country since board on the government’s initiatives to curb 2001 despite the fact that 85 percent world’s drugs are the menace of drugs. The government would produced in Afghanistan. The peddlers use three routes also enact new laws to ensure swift and effective to transport these drugs and they use central, southern action against modern drugs. and eastern routes to smuggle drugs. The Balkan route, which supplies Western and Central Europe through the How do you assess the drugs trade in Pakistan? Iran and Turkey via South-Eastern Europe; the southern Do you see an alarming rise in drugs trade?

49 Donors and international stakeholders would also be tapped in to help fight menace of synthetic drugs. Private schools management must invest in modern gadgetry to help their schools drug free. In this regard, we are launching a new application to help fight drugs. We also plan to conduct surprise visits under the new drug policy.

How do you view the meetings of Prime Minister Imran Khan on the sidelines of UNGA session in the US? PM Khan made the entire humanity proud as he spoke to the audience at the United Nations General Assembly. There is no precedence in recent history that the prime minister of a country touched upon so many intense cases in one-go one of the high- est forums in the world. He took up the case of Islamophobia, blasphemous content against Holy Prophet (PBUH), Indian occupation of Jammu & Kashmir and climate change effectively. Kashmir today has become a human rights issue above all; it is a nuclear flashpoint in the subcontinent and an issue which can trigger a world war too. It is an issue which requires immediate world attention and it is also a challenge for the United Nations, the United States, the United Kingdom and above all – the humanity itself. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi abrogated article 370 and 35-A; and later laid a siege around Indian-held Kashmir, literally caging eight million Kashmiris I am happy to inform you that there is a sharp decline in in their own houses – a bid to stage a bloodbath in the valley as drugs business in Pakistan since PTI government took over. Drug there are 900,000 Indian troops already in the valley. trade is not an isolated crime rather this it is interlinked with other rackets involved with money laundering, terror-financing, child pornography and anti-state activities. Frist of all, we will launch a drive to declare Islamabad a drug free city. Then we will move towards provinces and other federating units. I have decided to form a Special Task Force to prepare a foolproof strategy to deal with the issue. We will also engage provincial governments to finalise a strategy for province-wise crackdowns.

Since youth are major targets of dealers of synthetic drugs, what is your policy to deal with the issue? Yes, synthetic drugs are the most lethal. They kill fast. You know, PM Khan’s mission is to turn our youth into future leaders. Young leaders would be engaged in war on synthetic drugs at all levels. Youth needs to be given recognition and respect in this regard. I joined PTI as Imran Khan stood for principles and equality. Young leaders are the unsung heroes who helped Imran Khan bring about a change in the country. Hybrid war has been imposed on youth and they are divided on racial, religious grounds. We also have asked owners of private educational institutions to come forward and help the government fight against the menace of drugs. The sole objective of this interaction is to send a message loud and clear that it is moral and legal obligation of entrepreneurs under CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) that they have to play their due role in upbringing of children. The government would facilitate and regulate the schools according to the laws. The menace of drugs is spreading in private educational institutions and we are very serious about our future generations, whose fate is at stake.

50 But Modi did not know it would internationalize the and to shift the world’s focus away from occupied Kashmir. Kashmir issue as it gave a new impetus to the Kashmir strug- Let me warn Narendra Modi that any action by India against gle. Today, Kashmiri freedom lovers are far more energetic, Pakistan would be countered with a stronger response. Pakistan far more resolved and far clearer in their ambition of freedom has the most lethal arsenal and India should not test Pakistani from clutches of India. Following the lockdown in the valley, resolve. Our Army as well as nation is prepared to teach India not only common Kashmiris but pro-India Kashmiri politicians a lesson. We will be ready, we will respond to whatever India like Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti does — we will go till the end. have also been slapped with prison the same way the common Coming back to PM Khan’s speech at UN, he has already Kashmiris were being made to suffer. Today, the pro-Indian exposed the real face of Modi and the Hindu supremacist ideology Kashmiris are also admiring the vision of Quaid-e-Azam, of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), which Modi has saying they have now understood the ‘two nation theory’ that been a member for life. A normal person cannot make the type even most of Pakistani scholars had written off. of statements being made by Hindu extremist ministers about The abrogation of article 370 and 35-A is the biggest blun- the women of Kashmir. This [RSS] ideology has undermined ders made by Modi administration in entire Indo-Pakistan history the constitution of India. The BJP government has controlled which has unmasked the real face from Hindutva backers. This the media and that is why no news is coming out of Kashmir very act has totally exposed the Indian occupation of Kashmir, after almost two months. making it an international issue. In past, the Indian occupation International community will be responsible if war takes has been hoodwinked due to smart diplomatic handling by place between two nuclear states – Pakistan and India. Let me Indian rulers and flawed strategy by Pakistani government. tell Modi that war does not solve anything; it only leads to further aggravation of the conflict. PM Khan did his best to How do you see the RSS ideology and the response from bring India to the dialogue table but Modi had no interest in the international community? dialogue and he kept saying that India would teach Pakistan a Also, as PM Khan mentioned in his speech, India wants lesson. Let me tell India, hate mongering will fail and Kashmir to stage false flag operations in IoK to put blame on Pakistan will be free soon.

51 Rail Track Upgradation to Materialise Transregional Trade Ahsan Raza Malik

ay 13, 1861, was a historical day when the first sections were constructed as strategic lines to safeguard railway line measuring a distance of 169 kilometers the British Empire in the subcontinent. It is an interesting was opened for public traffic between Karachi City coincidence that the present alignment of railway lines and Kotri, a city on the right bank of the Indus River from Peshawar to Karachi closely follows Alexander’s line Min Sindh province of Pakistan. It all started in 1858 when the first of march through the Hindu Kush to the sea in Karachi. survey for the construction of the railway lines was started, which Karachi–Peshawar Railway Line, which is referred initially proposed railway lines from Karachi to Kotri, then via as Main Line 1 or ML-1, is one of the four main railway steam navigation through river Indus and Chenab up to Multan, a lines in Pakistan being operated and maintained by Paki- city in Pakistan’s Punjab province. Later, the project was extended stan Railways. When the railway tracks were opened in to Lahore - the capital of Punjab - and from there on the railway the 20th century; what normally took days and months to tracks found their way into Peshawar city of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa travel between Karachi and Lahore and beyond, used to province, formerly known as North-West Frontier Province. take hours to transport passengers and cargo. Different sections of the railways in the subcontinent, which However, since independence in 1947, Pakistan now comprise Pakistan Railways, were constructed in the last quarter Railways is in continuing crisis because of various reasons. of the 19th century and early part of the 20th century. Unlike other Lack of leadership & discipline, inadequate locomotives, rail networks in the subcontinent during British era, most of the obsolete technology and poor infrastructure are a few to

52 Transport is one of the basic necessities in present era and being one of the most important aspects. Perhaps, that is why the Pakistani and Chinese delegations often meet to discuss the future shape of CPEC — a major component of China’s Belt and Road initiative that will connect China to Europe via central and southern Asia through a string of ports, railways, roads, and bridges

aspects. Perhaps, that is why the Pakistani and Chinese delegations often meet to discuss the future shape of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) — a major component of China’s Belt and Road initiative that will connect China to Europe via central and southern Asia through a string of ports, railways, roads, and bridges. Pakistan for the first time, after the British rule in 1861 when the railway lines were opened for public traffic for the first time, will have a new railway track under CPEC. After 157 years, 11 months and 17 days, Pakistan and China inked an agreement on April 29 this year to upgrade the ML-1 Peshawar to Karachi railway tracks. After May 13, 1861, this was another historical day when the begin with. Managerial failures, over staffing & Railways Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad and Chinese Ambassador asset issues, poor transport policy, decreasing to Pakistan Yao Jing signed the declaration for the preliminary budget and increasing liabilities and losses are design of the phase one of the ML-1 project and Prime Minister the other factors continuously contributing to Imran Khan and his Chinese counterpart Li Keqiang witnessed the the dismal condition of the rail transport system. signing ceremony. Lack of maintenance of the coaches Though the final agreement on the project’s cost, financing and of Pakistan Railways, which put lives of the the available resources and options will be signed later but under passengers at risk, is another important factor. the agreement, Pakistan Railways and China’s National Railway Recently, it emerged that several economy Administration would start working on the project. Before signing the class coaches of different trains are marred agreement, Pakistan and China had agreed to amend the framework with electrical and mechanical faults and agreement on implementation of multibillion dollars ML-1 project seats, windows and even the doors are needed in a bid to reduce the size of the strategically important scheme. to be replaced. Due to the faulty wiring, some ML-1 — the single-largest project of CPEC — was initially coaches do not function at night as fans inside planned to be completed in three years will now take at least six the coaches do not switch on and bulbs keep years to complete from the day of its groundbreaking. The original flickering on and off. On several occasions, fire plan was to construct and upgrade the rail infrastructure between erupted because of short circuit and resulted in Peshawar and Karachi in two phases and to complete it by 2022. the loss of luggage and cargo. Poor hygiene According to the original framework agreement of May 2017, China of the washrooms adds insult to injury. If the would provide 85 percent of the project cost as a concessionary loan media reports are to be believed than at least for the tactically important project for both countries. 50 percent of coaches in Pakistan Railways are The amended agreement has reduced the length of the project not functional and the department is striving from 1,872km to around 1,680km and excluded the component hard to make such coaches useful. of building a new 163km long double line between Karachi and Transport is one of the basic necessities in Hyderabad from the scope of the framework agreement. Similarly, present era and being one of the most important the Havelian-Textile rail track has also been excluded from the

53 project. The ML-1 project will be completed on the Engineering discussed in the first meeting of the Joint Cooperation Council Procurement and Construction (EPC) mode under a sovereign deal. (JCC) on August 27, 2013 during the Pakistan Muslim League- At a cost of US$ 8.2 billion, the new track from Peshawar to Nawaz (PML-N) government, has come under discussion Karachi in addition to the existing one – turning it into a double in several JCC meetings and the framework agreement was track route – will be fenced. In addition to the new tracks, bridges signed during the April 20-21, 2015, visit of President Xi and crossings will also be constructed. Importantly, the project Jinping to Pakistan. will increase the speed of passenger trains from the current 65km Political experts believe that the major issues of Pakistan to 110km per hour to 160km per hour, while freight trains will be Railways would be resolved once the project is completed as it operated at 120km per hour. It has been estimated that the travel addresses most of the problematic areas. In a telephonic con- time from Rawalpindi to Karachi will reduce from 22 hours to versation with a few politicians and experts, they said that no 10 hours and trains will cover the distance between Lahore and political party has opposed the idea of CPEC and its projects, Rawalpindi in just 2.5 hours. Moreover, under the project, the especially ML-1 project, adding that everyone wishes to have numbers of trains will double which will help Pakistan Railways its party’s name attributed with the project. Interestingly, while to increase the present capacity of carrying roughly 70 million pointing out an important flaw, one of them revealed that like passengers to 100 million. the PML-N government, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-led The project will not only reduce travelling time and ensure government has not yet decided whether the Chinese loan for safety as the track will have a computer-based signaling and con- the ML-1 project will be taken on the books of the Ministry of trol system but it is expected to create 20,000 direct and 150,000 Finance or that of the Ministry of Railways. He said that the indirect jobs — addressing major issues being faced by Pakistan federal government will be responsible for project’s servicing Railways in one go. if the loans are taken on the books of finance ministry. The ML-1 project or the high-speed rail line, which was first project is so important and huge that the Federal Minister

54 Sheikh Rasheed had recently announced that he would get retirement from politics after completion of two mega projects; one of them is ML-1. Muhammad Moeen Watto, the Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz (PML-N)’s Member National Assembly (MNA) and Importantly, the project will increase Chairman Standing Committee on Railways, said that ML-1 the speed of passenger trains from project is very crucial for sustainable development as the project the current 65km to 110km per hour will not only upgrade the railways system but also give boost to the trade delivering. to 160km per hour, while freight trains MNA Amjad Ali Khan of the ruling PTI, who is a member of will be operated at 120km per hour. It Railways Committee, said that “ML-1 project is a gateway to has been estimated that the travel time prosperity” and it is an important part of CPEC. “If this project is completed within the stipulated timeframe, it will give boost from Rawalpindi to Karachi will reduce to the railways system at 90 degrees. The population of Pakistan from 22 hours to 10 hours and trains will is continuously increasing and the project will be beneficial for cover the distance between Lahore and the coming generations,” he said. He mentioned that the ML-1 project will play a pivotal role in trade & business, adding it will Rawalpindi in just 2.5 hours decrease the time of delivery and increase the speed of trains. Another member of the Railways Committee Senator Mirza Muhammad Afridi from the erstwhile Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), which was merged with neighboring province Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in 2018, said that ML-1 is a long- term project. “It is first time that we’re upgrading our centuries old dilapidated railways system. It will enhance the capacity of railways in term of transportation and would be beneficial for industrial revolution. He suggested that the Karachi-Peshawar rail track should be connected to the industrial zones. Typically, the railway structure is recognized as the lifeline of any nation and that is why the second main component of the CPEC is the composition and up-gradation of the railway system of Pakistan. However, the project will not only benefit one country but a direct, protected and consist railway linkage will improve economic dealings between China and Pakistan while simulta- neously providing China’s entry to the energy-rich Middle East through Gwadar and other harbors of Pakistan. The development through Pakistan would help China to get a secure oil transaction from the Middle East region and China can also have speedy export of its products from the western region’s economic zones to the Middle East markets. The CPEC will upsurge economic growth and prosperity, and once completed, China would be able to receive cargo from Gwadar through the shortest route from Karachi to Peshawar — ML-1 rail linkage. Who would have thought in 1861 that the track being built would turn out to be so significant that it would become a source of connecting the whole region after a century-and- a-half. So next time, when you hear the soft female or male voice: “Attention please! Shalimar Express is ready to leave Platform Number 2”, you might be travelling in the high-speed train on the newly build tracks that may take you from Karachi to Peshawar and beyond in no time. Get ready for the change because the station masters are all set to blow the whistle for the much-needed project.

55 CPEC TO TRANSFORM BALOCHISTAN INTO PROSPEROUS, VIBRANT REGION: BAYAZEED KASI The PTI’s young member central executive committee aims to replace Being a young office bearer of ruling party, you represent the core PTI team. How do you see PTI’s young leadership old faces of the party one day. He has has delivered on promises made during election campaign? been instrumental in attracting Chinese In 1990s, when Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Ambassador’s attention towards (PTI) Imran Khan was asked by a journalist ‘where do you see your political future’, PTI chairman had replied that his Balochistan and inititated several de- voters and supporters had not properly ripened at that time velopment projects there. DiploMag sat and when the time comes and the youth was ready, people down with Kasi to discuss PTI policies, would see him in a far better position. You saw in the 2018 CPEC progress and its impact on the general elections that the voters and supporters that chairman was mentioning two decades ago came out to support him and people of Balochistan eventually got the national hero and former cricketer elected By Farooq Azam Malik as the Prime Minister of Pakistan. As per the party policies and the election manifesto, youth of Pakistan is considered

56 a foreign minister. Now, Imran Khan is not just playing the role of the prime minister but also playing the role of an ambassador. Yes, people of Pakistan right now are kind of puzzled whether they have made the proper decision of bringing PTI in power, but you know change is a gradual process but let me assure you that slowly and gradually people of Pakistan would surely endorse the decision to bring PTI into driving seat. They will cherish their decision to bring Imran Khan and PTI in power. The process of development and prosperity has begun and PTI will definitely deliver in the remaining years of its tenure. The government is focusing less on the short term goals that are meant to entertain the voters and supporters. The party is focusing on the long-term goals that will benefit the country in the decades to come.

Since you have been instrumental in projecting and pushing CPEC projects in Balochistan, how much progress has been made? What projects are coming in future for Balochistan’s youth? When we talk about China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, it does not just project our economic changes and ties between the countries. It also projects friendship between China and Pakistan and CPEC is one of the valuable gifts by the people of China to people of Pakistan. Balochistan, being the key strategic point and investment area, has been given special consideration and we, the people of Balochistan, are fortunate that the issues of largest province would be resolved at last. It is a deprived province and we have been facing a lot of turbulence due to internal and external situation. Feudalism and Sardar culture has deprived people for a long time but we now want that people should get benefit from every single policy or aid that they get from the government or friends. CPEC is game changer for Baloch people. It is the flagship project of Belt and Road Initiative and would bring relief for the people of Balochistan. Currently, 27 major projects are going on and 17 of them are in progress in Balochistan. As President Xi Jinping earlier mentioned, the second phase of CPEC is going to focus on human development, social CPEC is game changer for sector development and any project that benefits the common man. In Baloch people. It is the line with his vision, people will have the opportunity to do business and focus on social welfare and public welfare projects. As they say, a con- flagship project of Belt and crete road is the path towards prosperity; PTI government is investing Road Initiative and would on infrastructure projects and making sure that people do not face the bring relief for the people of issue of connectivity. Recently, PM Khan inaugurated Quetta-Zhob road. Balochistan You rose to political landscape in 2017 and quickly made inroads to power corridors within a short span of time, what is the secret as one of the most important pillars as they play an behind your phenomenal progress/rise? important role in the policy & decision making and Joining PTI in 2016 was the best decision I made. I saw the goals uplifting the country from any position to the top. and policies of PTI, its way of working is quite relaxing and it is against Youth are the ones who are the main beneficiaries the dynastic politics. Usually, the nationalist parties in Balochistan are of any policy of the government. our first choice but after seeing PTI’s policies and manifesto, I joined it. The picture is quite different when you are When I first met the supreme leaders of PTI and was asked about future in opposition. You get to see the real side of the goal, I bluntly said “my future goal is to sit in your chair and you being issues when you come into power and that’s what a witness to it.” I was not discouraged rather the leadership encouraged has happened with PTI. When it came to power, it me, saying that young people should come forward and take part in emerged that Pakistan was in far worst condition decision making process. I came back and decided that I would work for in terms of economy, internal & external security, the betterment of my country the way Chinese work for their country. relations with the neighboring countries than we China is the role model for me. At personal and professional level, I try had thought. For roughly four-and-a-half year in to implement the good things that I have learnt from Chinese people and the previous government’s tenure, we did not have officials. Enthusiasm, discipline and honesty are among the qualities

57 that I admire the most in Chinese leaders and these qualities have Quetta, it started pumping 450 liters of drinking water without encouraged me to become similar so that I can play my due role utilizing any electricity. It is being run on solar power system and uplift my country from the political and economic dilemmas and, as per WHO’s standard, the project is providing water that it is currently facing. to roughly 23,000 people. Knowing that water is not easily available and people do not waste even a drop of it because Name the person who has been the backbone of CPEC’s phe- they have to walk 10 kilometers for one liter water, I think it nomenal progress in Pakistan? benefits over 200,000 people. The only institution that played a vital role in CPEC’s progress is the Pakistan Armed Forces. All the parties try to take Youth exchange programs are considered backbone of credit for bringing CPEC in Pakistan but the real credit goes to CPEC, how many people have benefitted from youth Pakistani forces who have contributed a lot in the progress of the exchange programs? multi-billion-dollar project. They took charge of securing CPEC The major contributions in this area are the scholarship projects and provided security to Pakistani and Chinese officials programs. At the moment, more than 30,000 students are working on different projects. On the other hand, I must give credit studying in different universities in China. Majority of them to Chinese government who has been working with consistent are financed by Chinese government. Universities also provide dedication and devotion to make this project successful since its scholarships. In Pakistan, China Foundation for Peace and inception. Jointly, Chinese government and the Armed Forces of Development Center has built a school in Gwadar, which was Pakistan have played the role without which this project could the responsibility of the provincial governments that ruled the never have been materialized. province for years. Now, they are opening more branches in Balochistan is a combination of plain and desert land and its other parts of the province. They are building China Study geographic condition is such that it does not favor water. Due to the Centers and, last month, inaugurated a center at the Univer- lack of interest of earlier governments, dams were not built while sity of Balochistan. They are having exchange programs with the water-level kept going down. Ground and pumping water are universities. CPEC Center of Excellence has been established the only sources of drinking water. Feeling that the condition would in Balochistan University of Information Technology. Lan- get worse and I along with others went to Chinese embassy. The guage courses are being offered all over Pakistan. Study trips embassy officials heard us and were quite happy to help us. They are arranged for students and entrepreneurs. Youth is largely helped us in conducting surveys and preparing concrete plans for getting benefits of CPEC. overcoming water problems. Once the project was completed in

58 Authority to Fast-track CPEC Projects

Izbal Baloch

ederal government has established China-Pakistan Eco- nomic Corridor (CPEC) Authority through a presidential FOrdinance and handed over federal cabinet’s power to prime minister besides giving tax benefits to Chinese companies. The establishment of CPEC Authority prior to the three-day long activities. The Authority would exercise its powers and perform scheduled visit of PM Imran Khan to China is in line with Chinese its functions in line with the framework and Memorandum of demand, which has long been asking Pakistan to establish CPEC Understanding signed between Pakistan and China. Authority for achieving progress in CPEC project Sources familiar with the development said that establish- Immunity ment of CPEC Authority through Presidential ordinance and grant Except as expressly provided in this Ordinance, no suit of tax benefits to Chinese and other companies for investing in prosecution or other legal proceedings shall lie against the Gwadar port and free zone are made, apparently, to appease and Authority, the chairperson, CEO, ED, members, officers, mem- lure Chinese companies. The sources said that there are chances bers of staff, other employees, expert, consultant or advisor of that China government and Chinese investors will express their the Authority in respect of anything done or intended to be done willingness to invest in Pakistan during the premier’s visit. in good faith under this Ordinance, the rules or the regulations. The documents available with DiploMag reveal that the The Ordinance says that the chairperson, directors, members, Cabinet Committee for Disposal of Legislative Cases (CCLC) officers, members of staff or other employees of the Authority has considered and recommended draft legislation of CPEC or experts, consultants or advisor employed or as the case may Authority Ordinance. In its meeting on September 17, 2019, be hired or engaged by the Authority shall be governed to be the Cabinet had approved in principle the recommendation of civil servants within the meeting of the civil servants Act 1973. CCLC with regard to establishment of CPEC Authority subject to fine-tuning by the committee headed by the Minister for Law Annual Report and Justice. The next day, the committee finalized the CPEC The Authority shall within three months of the end of a Authority Ordinance and the Law and Justice Division has vetted financial year submit to the PM an annual report which shall the proposed legislation. consist of the accounts and audit reports of the Authority, a com- “The Authority shall be a body corporate, having perpet- prehensive statement of the work and activities of the Authority ual succession and a common seal, with power, subject to the during the financial year and its proposed activities and such other provisions of this Ordinance, to enter into contracts, acquire and matters as may be prescribed in the rules or as the Authority may hold property, both moveable and immovable, and to sue and consider appropriate. be sued in its name,” read the draft of the Ordinance. According The Authority may call for any pertinent information to documents, the Authority will consist of Chairperson, Chief required by it for carrying out the purposes of this ordinance Executive Officer, Executive Director (Operations), Executive from any person information required by it for carrying out the Director (Research) and six members to be appointed by the purposes of this ordinance from any person involved directly or Prime Minister of Pakistan for a period of four years and shall be indirectly in any CPEC-related activity or any matter incidental eligible for re-appointment for one similar term. The head office or consequential thereto. Any person called upon to provide of the Authority will be at Islamabad. The Chief Executive Officer such information shall do so within the period prescribed by will be a civil servant of BS-20 or above, who shall be appointed the Authority and his failure so to do shall be punishable by the on deputation, while the qualification, experience and terms and imposition of such penalty as may be prescribed by the rules. conditions for appointment of the chairperson, executive direc- In case of any difficulties in implementation of the provi- tors and members of the authority shall be prescribed by rules. sions of the ordinance or the rules made thereunder, the PM may The Authority shall be primarily responsible for coordination, pass an order within one year of establishment of authority to monitoring and evaluation to ensure implementation of CPEC remove such difficulties.

59 Hainan: Paradise on Earth Prior to moving to China, the images that came to my mind were of the enormous Great Wall in Beijing, or a vibrant, modern city like Shanghai. I didn’t expect a tropical haven just a stone’s throw from the mainland – Hainan Island. Bilal Sabri shares his journey to the heaven on earth.

eople say if you want to natural harbors. Special correspondent see paradise on earth, visit ‘DiploMag’ took a journey as part of a Pakistan’s northern area, 50-member media delegation represent- Indian-occupied Kashmir or ing 49 countries from Beijing to Hainan. Hainan province of China. These all participants came from Asian PSome call it ‘The Hawaii of China’ and African countries. while others insist on calling it heaven With lots of beaches and health on earth. Whatever the name maybe, if clubs equipped with state-of-the-art you wish to spend some quality time facilities add to the attraction of Hainan along some white sandy beaches, rivers which is called ‘Paradise in China’. & lakes, palm trees, colorful marine life, The province also contributes to the you must go to the “south of the sea” Chinese economy in a big way. Hainan’s because that’s what Hainan literally economy mostly relies on agriculture, means. Hainan is the southernmost marine products and tourism. Rice is the province of China and is also the small- most cultivated product in across Hainan est in terms of land area. For centuries while coconut, palm and tropical fruits Hainan was part of Guangdong province, are also major crops. It is also home to but in 1988 this resource-rich tropical marine products, including shrimps, region became a separate province. The prawns, scallops and pearls, which are capital is Haikou, on Hainan Island’s famous across the world. northern coast. As the media delegation landed at Since I have been to northern areas Sanya International Airport, they were of Pakistan, I chose to visit Hainan, the informed that Sanya is the Southern Island province of China, which is fast city of Hainan which has become the becoming a global tourist sensation as world’s top tourist destination. The area the number of world tourists visiting has tropical weather with rich natural China is augmenting fast. Located resources and sandy beaches across in southern part of China, Hainan is with 250-km-long coastline. General youngest island have smallest land area Economist of Sanya Development which was given provincial status in Reform Commission Mr Zhao Yiwen year 1988. More than 1500 kilometers told the delegation that free trade and coastline contains numerous bays and free economic zones were launched in

60 total population of 581,400. “Set by the coastline in a lush green environment has made Sanya city ideal choice for tourists and top international destination,” Andre, a Russian tourist said, adding “I am newly married and it didn’t take long for us to decide where we wanted to spend honeymoon – in paradise. That’s where we are.” Apart from beaches, rivers and streams, tourists also head to Phoenix International Cruise Terminal, Royal Yacht Club, Sanya Paddy Field National Park, Sanya International Duty Free Shopping Center and World largest Atlantis Sanya Resort. Qionghai is another big city of Hainan located at east of the province. In March, the 2019 Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) was held at BOAO, Qionghai, as Qionghai has been declared the permanent destination for

Sanya which has become a tax-free city for tourism BOAO Forum where almost all Asian countries attend the forum every year. promotion.“We give free visas to 59 countries including Ms Kelly, the Secretary-General of Boao’s Foreign Language Cultural Russia, United Kingdom, European Union, Malaysia, Exchange Center, said that Boao had become a tourist sensation due to Philippines and others. More than 20 companies from Boao Forum for Asia. “Moreover, the rich culture of Qionghai is a major 45 countries have invested in Sanya in different fields. reason for attracting a huge number of foreigners. Our rich heritage also The companies from all across China have moved their attracts domestic tourists which throng Qionghai in huge numbers,” she headquarters to Sanya due to special tax incentives said. This city is also famous by Qionghai Jiaji High school, the best high offered to them,” he revealed. Zhao said only in year school in Hainan Island. The delegation also visited Shamei village, which 2018, more than 22 million people visited Sanya, is among the oldest villages in China. including 1.5 million from other countries. Prior to moving to China, the images that came to my mind were Sanya city covers a land of 1,918.37 square of the enormous Great Wall in Beijing, or a vibrant, modern city like kilometers and sea area of 3,500 square kilometers. Shanghai. I didn’t expect a tropical haven just a stone’s throw from the It is home for 19 harbors and 10 major islets. The mainland – Hainan Island. So next time, if you can’t decide where you city is composed of two districts and six towns with a want to spend holidays, just visit Hainan. It’s worth it.

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