A Roundtable Discussion on “President Xi’s Vision: Changing World Dynamics and Shared Future” organized

ISLAMABAD/SIALKOT, OCT 13: A Roundtable Discussion on “President Xi’s Vision: Changing World Dynamics and Shared Future” was organized by Pakistan Research Center for a Community with Shared Future, Communication University of China, Beijing & University of Sialkot, Sialkot in collaboration with Center for Global & Strategic Studies, Islamabad at University of Sialkot.

The aim of the Roundtable Discussion was to bring together intellectuals from the partner institutions on one platform to share their expertise and knowledge on the Chinese concept “Community with Shared Future for Mankind” presented by President Xi Jinping.

The event commenced with the opening remarks of Brigadier Mansoor Saeed Sheikh (Retd), Vice-President (Punjab Region), Center for Global & Strategic Studies (CGSS), Islamabad.

He stated that President Xi stresses the common ground between China and the West, including widely shared norms and international institutions.“A Community with Shared Future” is also the guiding principle of China’s international relations today.

It underlies China’s strategic thoughts on long-term development of its bilateral ties with other countries. It is a manifestation of China’s foreign policy goal of peace, equality, development and win-win cooperation.

Prof. Dr. Saeed Ul Hassan Chishti, Vice-Chancellor, University of Sialkot, Sialkot in his welcome remarks discussed role of China, its goals and targets. He stated that China has a very clear dimension and direction towards development, cooperation and peace with Pakistan.

Also, peace comes with economic stability. He appreciated the work of Center for Global and Strategic Studies (CGSS), Islamabad that it is connecting countries from all over the world. He stated that CPEC can be a game changer only if we are ready to train and educate our people.

Prof. Dr. Saeed Ul Hassan Chishti, discussed about the collaboration between the University of Sialkot and Communication University of China (CUC).

Furthermore, Communication University of China (CUC) is offering degrees and many more opportunities for the students for enhancement of diplomatic ties between the two countries. He was hopeful for more active collaboration between both institutions in coming years.

Mr. Khalid Taimur Akram, Director, Pakistan Research Center for a Community with Shared Future, Communication University of China, Beijing, China gave a detailed presentation on “Building a Community with Shared Future for Peace and Prosperity”.

He explained the objectives and goals of Pakistan Research Center for a Community with Shared Future jointly established by the Center for Global & Strategic Studies (CGSS), Islamabad, and The Institute of a Community with Shared Future (ICSF) of Communication University of China (CUC), Beijing. He stated that The Pakistan Research Center of a Community with Shared Future is a platform to support building an academic network and initiating collaborative academic projects.

Prof. Deqiang Ji, Vice-Dean, Institute for a Community with Shared Future (ICSF), Communication University of China (CUC), Beijing stated that now a days we can see the popularity in the notion of Community with Shared future where people are talking about the future of international diplomacy, how different countries can co-exist and co-prosper in the near future.

Also, there is increase in scholarly understanding of the notion and notion is originally proposed by Chinese. He shared three points regarding three contexts in understanding the notion of the community of shared future. He mentioned about the financial and globalization crises of the west.

The community with shared future aims to define and consolidate the way of thinking and how to work together for the globalization. Also, the world is need of some of new notions and it is necessary.

He discussed about how to create a new notion, a new idea and how to work on it. He stated that from the Chinese prospect everyone gets benefited from globalization. Furthermore, the notion is not only for China and its better future but it is for all.

He suggested that we must engage people of different languages and visions in the dialogues for a better globalization

Prof. Hong Li, Director of the Center for BRICS Studies of the Communication University of China (CUC), Beijing presented speech on “Enhancing Regional Connectivity through the Global Concept of a Community with Shared Future”.

She stated that in an equilibrium state, the mind is in the state of harmony. This equilibrium is the essence of all creatures, and this is the universal principle followed by all creatures.

She discussed the China-Africa Environment Cooperation Center that provided training courses on weather technology for officials from African countries. She stated that China has donated a large amount of environmental protection equipment. She also discussed Paris in detail the climate pact.

Mr. Taimoor bin Tanveer, Lecturer, Department of International Relations, & Deputy Director, Placement & Alumini Affairs, University of Sialkot, Sialkot commenced his discussion with the historical background of dialogue of civilizations.

He stated that Civilizations first appeared in Mesopotamia and later in Egypt. He talked about primary and secondary commonalities which includes reliable source of water, transportation and soil a primary whereas social structure, government and religion as secondary commonalities.

He also mentioned importance of the Belt and Road initiative that how it is way to the economic integration, peace and prosperity and less conflicts. Also, he stated that dialogues are the need for sustainability and it is there is always a need to sustain the dialogue between radically different viewpoints as a guarantee of a level of diversity vital to unforeseeable responses to complex crises of the future.

Ms. Palwasha Nawaz, Deputy Director, Pakistan Research Center for a Community with Shared Future, Communication University of China, Beijing, Chinapresented speech on “Working Towards an Inclusive World: Global concept of a Community with Shared Future”.

She stated that concept of community with shared future emphasis multilateralism in politics, security, and development of civilizations, culture, academic domain, and environment. It also holds solidarity in all kind of problems which is faced by mankind.

For example, pandemics, drugs, terrorism and climate change etc. Moreover, this idea can help the countries to curtail people to people gap. Understanding the potential of this narrative, it is safe to say that it is beneficial for every state.

Working under this concept would allow states to develop mutual trust and work collectivity for prosperity of the world and inclusive economic development.

Dr. Tahira, Assistant Professor, Department of International Relations, University of Sialkot, Sialkot presented speech on Community with Shared Future: Foundation of the New World. She stated that the vision of shared future has profound and rich theoretical meaning.

President Xi fully elaborated on the vision and layed emphasis on the need to form partnerships in which countries trade each other as equal fair and promote innovative and inclusive development. This approach depicts a bright future progress of internationalrelations and represent a major innovation.

Mr. Hamza Jan, Lecturer Economics, Deputy Director, QEC, & Head of African Studies Center, University of Sialkotpresented speech on “Significance of Community with Shared Future in Achieving Sustainable Development Goals”.

He stated that in order to overcome the challenges which poor and developing countries face, there is a need for more integration, interconnectivity, inter-regional trade, and huge investment in social sectors and infrastructure to increase regional connectivity, social uplift, and increased overall welfare of the community of this very and only land for humanity under the umbrella of the vision for centuries, community with shared future.

Ms. Laraib Fatima Hassan, Communication & Coordination Executive, Center for Global & Strategic Studies (CGSS), Islamabadpresented speech on the topic “Community with Shared Future: A Catalyst for Achieving SDGs”.

She stated that the idea of “Community with Shared Future for Mankind”, presented by President Xi in 2013, envisions a globalized world of sustainable peace, prosperity, security, and cooperation rather than a competitive world.

In such a world, cooperation in different sectors supports handling the common global challenges. There are several global challenges that we are facing today and the idea of community with a shared future should be utilized to deal with these problems for our collective growth and development.

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CPEC: Regional Security Powers & Paradoxes | By Dr Mehmood Ul Hassan Khan

 

Dr. Mehmood Ul Hassan Khan

IT seems that the “abrupt” fall of Kabul has “flustered” the regional as well as international power politics due to which there are some symbolic re-arrangements of security meetings, pacts and alliances now going around the world.

Chess-board of “power politics” is going to have new set-up to “topple” and “contain” Chinese socio-economic commitments towards greater regional connectivity, socio-economic integration and eradication of poverty through its “One Belt One Road Initiative” (BRI) and China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Thus self-defined “China Threat Theory (CTT)” of the West & US is being intentionally disseminated its own military race in the region.

The ongoing QUAD (United States, India, Japan and Australia) Security dialogue in Washington and newly formed security pact AUKUS (Australia, UK & USA) are the prime examples of their undue and unjust military race and enmity against China in the region.

Despite Western propaganda the CPEC has been termed as the economic “jugular vein” of Pakistan. Moreover, CPEC is “oxygen” to the ailing economy of Pakistan.

CPEC is an open and transparent mega project of socio-economic prosperity and a giant step towards economic self-reliance. Thus it should be used in the best interest of Pakistan.

There are some “misleading” media news, commentaries, articles and interviews about utility, capacity and efficacy of CPEC. It seems that ongoing internal propagation against CPEC in the mass media of the country is not based on true facts.

Rather it tried to malign China not to start CPEC Phase-II and not obliging Pakistan to pay back its due instalments even on deferred terms.

In this connection, capacity payments of CPEC energy projects are being projected as a financial burden or inflexibility of Chinese companies towards Pakistan.

It is totally untrue, un-factual, fabricated and self-inserted conclusions of some of the media houses and newspapers in the country which needs to be ratified as soon as possible.

According to various published reports of SBP, SECP and Finance Ministry that Pakistan has received only US$42 billion investment in the first 65 years of Pakistan’s history, but under CPEC since 2015, 51 agreements/MOUs have been signed, worth 46 billion which has now been further increased to US$ 62 billion.

But unfortunately, to “capacity building” flaws & fallacies only 25 billion has yet been utilized.

In this regard, China does not have any restriction to invest in Pakistan, and it can be substantial if Pakistan can streamline and enhance its capacity.

The CPEC provides a wide range of opportunities to Pakistan but strong political will for good governance and diplomacy should be the way forward. Appropriate security has been one of the serious concerns of the Chinese government.

Fall of Kabul and Chinese strategic understanding towards Taliban has once again put its projects and workers in the line of fire in the country which must be protected on an urgent basis.

Anti-CPEC lobbies and secret agencies are specifically targeting the CPEC project to sabotage the project.

In this context, the newly formed AUKUS military alliance may harm the future utility of Gwadar seaport and the blue economy of China too. CPEC has the potential and threshold to connect with Central Asia and beyond.

The vast region bordering China, Afghanistan, Iran and Russia is landlocked and dependent on the seaports of Pakistan, China, Russia, Iran and Turkey. Thus the ideal combination of BRI & CPEC is the need of the hour.

Most recently, the 10th Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) meeting of CPEC was held via video link.

While addressing it, Deputy Head of China’s National Development and Reform Commission, Ning Jizhe termed the CPEC as the flagship project under the BRI which has provided dividends over the past eight years, bringing a direct investment of US$ 25.4 billion to Pakistan and creating numerous jobs in Pakistan.

He urged both countries to focus on CPEC construction through the construction of Gwadar Port, energy and infrastructure, and industrial cooperation while fully tapping the existing infrastructure.

On the eve of 70th anniversary of Pak-China diplomatic relations, he chalked out comprehensive road-map for further development and was of the opinion that both countries should promote the healthy, qualitative development of CPEC by forming the Health Corridor (HC), the Industrial Corridor (IC), Knowledge Corridor (KC) the Trade Corridor (TC) the Digital Corridor (DC) and the Green Corridor (GC) and work together to build an even closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era.

Addressing a news conference after the JCC meeting, Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar said that China expressed concern over the security arrangements for Chinese working on the CPEC projects.

The Minister said that China emphasised boosting security arrangements with the enhancement in the scope of CPEC in the second phase.

He defused the domestic and international propaganda by saying that despite numerous challenges CPEC projects are sailing smoothly and meeting deadlines. He confirmed the expansion of CPEC which has attracted more and more investment beyond industrial estates.

The MoU was between China’s Ningbo Port and Pakistan’s Gwadar Port for the CPEC. Another MoU has been signed for the Karachi Coastal Development Plan under the Maritime Ministry along with a Chinese Company, named CRPC, for the development of the Karachi Port facility. The Minister said that eight different agreements were signed for the agriculture sector.

During the meeting both sides signed five documents for cooperation and announced three cooperation agreements between enterprises. However, both sides exchanged views on security measures for Chinese projects and nationals in Pakistan.

The 10th JCC meeting was held on the work studies of various working groups including security, energy, industrial cooperation, agriculture, science and technology.

The meeting also announced the establishment of a joint working group in the information technology industry.

About 200 representatives from the governments, financial institutions, enterprises and public institutions of both sides attended the meeting. Being a prominent regional expert of China, CPEC & BRI, this scribe suggests that innovative commercial diplomacy is the need of the hour to resolve any emerging financial deadlock/burden between the two sides.

Request for deferment of payments, restructuring of loans through future profit sharing, change of management, issuance of IPOs, export of surplus energy and last but not the least, good governance should be followed and implemented. Any sponsored media campaign in the country should not be encouraged.

CPEC has been in the line of fire since its inception from hostile regional countries and international power brokers.

90 percent of Chinese trade with the West and US is being carried out through waters and most recently-held QUAD security meeting and formation of AUKUS have definitely anti-China aims.

Thus CPEC Phase-II is the need of the hour in which more long-term projects for the expansion and development of Gwadar seaport may be mutually beneficial for the two countries.

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China highlights strong relationship with South Africa at 72nd anniversary

Cape Town, SEPT 28: As China celebrated its 72nd anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China on Tuesday, ambassador Chen Xiaodong highlighted its 23 years of diplomatic ties with South Africa.

During a virtual press briefing, Chen said that over the past year since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, China has become an anchor and a driving force for global economic recovery and that its economy expanded 12.7% year-on-year in the first half of this year.

While highlighting its success in technology and space explorations, Chen added that China will continue to assist South Africa and developing countries in the fight against Covid-19.

“China will strive to provide a total of two billion doses of vaccines to the world by the end of this year,” said Chen.

“In addition to donating US$100 million to Covax, China will donate 100 million doses of vaccines to other developing countries before the close of this year,” he said.

Chen added that China has taken a stance to pursue a greener and more balanced global development and aims to achieve carbon neutrality before 2060. In doing so, the nation has pledged to stop developing new coal-fire-powered projects abroad.

Chen applauded President Cyril Ramaphosa on the way he handled the Covid-19 outbreak by “putting life first” through the use of science and allowing a steady rollout of the vaccination.

“South Africa stood firm for justice and fairness in international affairs and promoting cooperation in Covid-19 response,” said Chen.

“The government contributed in defending the interest of the majority of developing countries which demonstrated South Africa’s sense of responsibility as a major country.”

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COURTESY African News Agency (ANA)

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CPEC panel okays ambitious Karachi coastline plan

• Coastal comprehensive development zone to be established on KPT’s reclaimed land

• $3.5bn plan envisages new berths for port, new fishery port, harbour bridge to unlock Pakistan’s Blue Economy
• Centre calls the initiative a game-changer for Pakistan

KARACHI, SEPT 26: Calling it a “game-changer”, the federal government on Satur­day unveiled an ambitious plan to rebuild Karachi’s coastline under the China-Pakistan Economic Corri­dor (CPEC) with $3.5 billion “direct Chinese investment” that aims to overhaul city’s seaboard with new berths for the port, a new fishery port and a ‘majestic harbour bridge’ connecting it with Manora islands and Sandspit beach.

The Karachi Coastal Co­m­prehensive Develop­ment Zone (KCCDZ) — spread over 640 hectares or 1,581 acres on the western backwaters marsh land of the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) leading to revamp one of the oldest city slums Machhar Colony relocating its more than half a million population — is an initiative of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs.

The KCCDZ is the latest addition to CPEC projects aimed at providing Karachi with an ultra modern urban infrastructure zone, placing it among the top port cities of the world.

The announcement came from the top when a key member of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s cabinet sha­red some details of the project and claimed it carried “enormous potential for global investors as well”.

“And the best thing of this project is that it’s solely based on foreign [Chinese] investment without any loan,” said Minister for Mar­i­time Affairs Syed Ali Zaidi while speaking to Dawn.

“The Chinese work so fast and I guess that it would not take more than five or six years to complete the project. Under the agreed plan, we would relocate some 20,000 to 25,000 families from Machhar Colony and relocate them. Believe me it’s a huge thing for Pakistan. It’s something massive. It would bring multifold advantages to Pakistan’s maritime economy and further strengthen our coastal development.”

He said after assuming the office as the minister for maritime affairs he vigorously looked for the opportunity for the KCCDZ and made all-out efforts to include it in the CPEC projects. For this purpose, he added, he consulted a number of Chinese companies, investors and officials of the neighbouring country and his efforts finally yielded results.

Earlier, the federal minister shared the “monumental decision” on a social me­dia platform, coming up with ske­tchy details of the KCCDZ. He, however, did not explain terms and conditions that convinced the Chinese investors to pour in $3.5 billion (around Rs592 billion).

“A monumental decision was taken during the 10th Joint Cooperation Commi­ttee (JCC) on CPEC, held on 23rd September 2021 at Islamabad and Beijing,” Mr Zaidi tweeted while sharing a formal statement of the announcement.

“The two countries agreed to include KCCDZ under the CPEC framework. KCCDZ, an initiative of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs focuses on providing Karachi with an ultra modern urban infrastructure zone, placing Karachi amongst the top port cities of the world.”

The minister also shared animated and picturesque images of a developed KCCDZ, showing a huge developed coastline dotted with multiple buildings, concrete structures and planned neighbourhoods without mentioning their utilities. He claimed all the developments would take place over “reclaimed area of the KPT” spanning over huge 640 hectares or 1581.474 acres.

“Developed on reclaimed area of approximately 640 hectares on the Western back waters marsh land of KPT, KCCDZ will be a flagship project for not only Pakistan but the entire region,” the statement claimed.

“In accordance with PM Imran Khan’s vision for promoting low-cost housing, KCCDZ will also provide residential resettlement to more than 20,000 families living in the surrounding slums. The environment-friendly mega KCCDZ envisages four new berths for KPT, adding depth to Pakistan’s expanding maritime sector.”

The project, the statement added, would also house a state-of-the-art fishing port, with a world-class fisheries export processing zone to boost Pakistan’s trade potential. It would also drastically improve the marine ecosystem and reduce pollution by establishing a water treatment plant at the mouth of the Lyari River, it said.

“The KCCDZ will connect with the rest of Karachi through a majestic harbour bridge rising from behind Pakistan’s Deepwater Port, with exit ramps for Manora Islands and Sandspit beach,” it elaborated.

The statement claimed KCCDZ would unlock “Pakistan’s unexplored Blue Economy and significantly enhance development and industrial cooperation between the two brotherly countries. The KCCDZ is a game-changer for Pakistan”.

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COURTESY DAWN NEWS

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China seeks stability in Afghanistan before economic dialogue

 

While China’s foreign affairs officials are signalling friendship and cooperation, it will take much deeper action on the ground to move anywhere near real engagement.

Shenzhen, China, AUG 19: In the coming weeks and months, if not years, China will need to walk a tightrope related to economic and security engagements in Afghanistan or risk the fate other major powers have suffered by engaging in conflicts that drained them financially and at the cost of many lives.

China’s concerns over stability in the region and the potential for a security vacuum that emboldens militants there outweigh a desire to tap into Afghanistan’s mineral wealth and further advance regional infrastructure connections through the area in the near term.

The sudden takeover of the country by Taliban forces, two weeks before United States troops were meant to fully withdraw after nearly two decades of conflict there, has placed China in an uncertain position as it attempts to determine how to deal with its new neighbours in power in Kabul.

“It is very important for China to see how the Taliban stabilise the situation,” Zhang Li, a professor at the Sichuan University’s Institute of South Asian Studies, told Al Jazeera. “I think the most important step is political reconciliation. Talk of major economic engagement is too early.”

Meetings between Taliban leadership and China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi at the end of July were important for laying the groundwork for further communication between the two parties, particularly for China in signalling its significant interests in a stable outcome as well as assurances on security, Zhang said.

Statements like the ones from China’s foreign ministry on Monday about maintaining “friendly and cooperative relations” with Afghanistan are likely to continue as long as the situation remains stable and the Taliban keeps its word about engaging with other political entities in the country.

“China made it quite clear that the situation on the ground needs to be stable, and that they want to see positive developments,” Zhang said. “If the Taliban can keep its promise properly and improve security, not allow militants to go against other countries, including China, I think it’s quite possible for China to consider economic engagement, in a big way.”

Future governance

For now, though, China will be watching to see what form of government emerges, in what manner the Taliban wields power, and whether or not it forms an inclusive government.

Such actions could lead to diplomatic recognition for a Taliban-led government on the part of countries like Pakistan, Russia and China – a possible significant early step to longer-term engagement, according to Andrew Small, a senior fellow with the Asia programme at the German Marshall Fund, currently based in Berlin.

“They don’t want to be stuck dealing with a kind of pariah state again in their neighbourhood,” Small told Al Jazeera. “I think they do see this as a window where if there is a government that can last, it needs to be something where there is some sharing of power with other political forces.”

While China may like seeing the US out of its backyard, it may be underestimating the extent of the challenges that it faces in Afghanistan largely due to its reliance on Pakistan for information about the situation there, Daniel Markey, director of the Global Policy Program at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, told Al Jazeera.

“There is a kind of a triumphalism about what’s happened, and an expectation that China could perhaps, in a way, swoop in and pick up the pieces,” Markey said based on commentary he’s been observing from some Chinese experts. “If they actually believe that, they’re going to be in for a rude shock, if not immediately, then over time.”

The Taliban will likely need to cooperate with a range of constituencies within Afghanistan, both because of outside pressure to do so, and because the movement lacks the manpower to pacify and run the country well, Markey said.

“If it doesn’t devolve into an outright civil war they’re going to have to grant a great deal of autonomy to different regions,” he said. “This presents China with the possibility of cultivating ties with certain segments of society, but also creates the risk of pockets of threats for China.”

Raffaello Pantucci, a senior fellow at the Rajaratnam School of International Studies based in Singapore, told Al Jazeera that Chinese authorities are “fairly clear-eyed” about what they’re dealing with in the Taliban and that claims that Chinese investment could soon start to pour into the county are wildly overblown.

“Why do we now suddenly think that Beijing is going say, ‘Oh, now everything’s rosy let’s go rushing in and you know, mine lithium in Helmand [province]’ which is, you know, an incredibly rural place with no infrastructure to speak of?” Pantucci asked.

Pantucci pointed to two better-known major investment projects – a contract with a Chinese state-owned company to develop a copper mine in Mes Aynak in 2007, and a tender for an oil field project in Amu Darya with China National Petroleum Corp in 2011 – that essentially went nowhere close to being developed.

“Even with stability previously, it wasn’t clear to me ever that the Chinese government was pushing its companies into Afghanistan at all,” he said.

A wait-and-see approach

If there are steps towards international recognition of a Taliban-led government in Kabul and the stability to maintain that, Small told Al Jazeera, it is likely China could create a sense that “there’s a lot more on offer further down the line,” he said, with the possibility of engagement on all kinds of investment discussions and short-term aid.

“The question, though, is really going to be on any of the serious longer-term projects, whether that’s the copper mine, or any major infrastructure connections and things, I think [China’s authorities] will just sit for a while and see what emerges,” Small said.

While China’s foreign affairs officials are signalling friendship and cooperation, it will take much deeper action on the ground to move anywhere near real engagement.

“I don’t see them trying to possibly have any greater confidence about the Taliban’s capacity to be a good partner, say of exploiting Afghanistan’s mineral wealth, than the last government,” Markey said. “The last government wasn’t great, but it was backed for 20 years by US security.”

Another major issue for China is whether the Taliban ascendance will embolden other militants in the region, particularly the Taliban in Pakistan, or any groups intent on using China’s repression and anti-terrorism campaign against its Uighur minority in the Xinjiang region as a rallying cry against the country.

“Terrorism is a big challenge for China, so that’s also something China is especially concerned about,” Zhang said of assurances the government in Beijing is seeking from the Taliban.

Yun Sun, director of the China Program at the Stimson Center, a Washington-based think-tank, said that the swift takeover had surprised everyone, including China, and much depends on what the Taliban does next.

“Whether it resumes its previous draconian policies or begins to moderate, and whether it maintains ties with and support of radical Islamic groups, especially the Uighur ones,” will determine relations with China and any economic engagement afterwards, she said.

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COURTESY AL JAZEERA

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