China is the main pillar of Pakistan’s foreign policy and one of the main financial benefactors of the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative. The mega project and huge investment by China has helped Pakistan move even closer to China. After the exit of the US from Afghanistan and the India’s new alliances with the US block in the pacific have compelled Pakistan to have a China centric policy.
Pakistan has received more money from China than IMF. Pakistan owes China 6.7 billion dollars and 2.7 billion to IMF.
The recent four day visit of the Army Chief General Asim Munir was very crucial for Pakistan to get Chinese economic backing and political support to counter India’s growing strength in the international arena.
China has always been very receptive to Pakistani requests for assistance and the Chinese statement in support of the country indicates that the army chief’s visit was a success. The two billion dollars loan has been rolled over by China to provide urgent relief to the Pakistan economy.
According to the Chinese defence ministry, Zhang Youxia, the vice chairman of China’s Central Military Commission, assured the army chief it would work with the Pakistani military to “further deepen and expand” the two nations’ mutual interests and jointly protect regional peace and stability.
“Noting that China and Pakistan are all-weather strategic cooperative partners and close friends, Zhang said that no matter how the international situation changes, China always gives Pakistan priority in its neighbourhood diplomacy.”
According to ISPR press release “Matters of mutual security interests and military cooperation were discussed. Both military commanders reiterated the need for maintaining peace and stability in the region and enhancing military to military cooperation.”
Pakistan’s economy and political turbulence and reluctance of its traditional friends to bail it our of the existing crises has compelled Pakistan to seek help from its true friend China. The Chinese have always been the biggest support for Pakistan in all spheres of life.
Pakistan’s dependency on China for economic stability and regional security has grown manifolds. Due to political instability the lack of credibility in the political leadership the army chief’s visit was the best option to negotiate a friendly bailout deal with the Chinese.
The visit will bring the militaries and government of the two countries closer and improve military cooperation.
The military commanders from the two countries also reiterated the need to maintain peace and stability in the region and to increase military cooperation. Pakistan army is already getting massive support in terms of armaments from Chinalike J-10 aircrafts, submarines and other military technologies.
The visit of the army chief to China to solicit economic and military aid was vital under the prevailing circumstances and will help provide political stability in the country. WTP Editorial
