On June 4-8, 2024, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif paid a visit trip to China. Which was reciprocated later in the month by a visit to Pakistan by Liu Jianchao, a member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, on June 20-22. The visits took place amid inordinate delays in the implementation of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The delays appear to be due to economic and security issues, as well as to bureaucratic incompetence and to Pakistan's own political instability in recent years.
In September 2021, the matter had come up before Pakistan's Senate Standing Committee on Planning and Development, at which Chairman Saleem Mandviwalla noted that Chinese companies were dissatisfied over Pakistan's negligible progress on CPEC. "The Chinese ambassador has complained to me that you have destroyed CPEC, and no work was done in the past three years," the committee chairman said.[1]
After Sharif's five-day China visit in June 2024, Pakistani writer Nasir Jamal noted that 23 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and agreements had been signed. However, he added: "It is still unclear what these MoUs will materialize into, or if these will propel the corridor project into its second phase for its monetization to help Islamabad pay back its debt."[2]
It is within this context, and possibly due to China's concern over Pakistan's relationship with the United States, that Liu Jianchao visited Pakistan. A dinner meeting was arranged for him and Pakistan's notable persons. Senior journalist Saleem Safi, who also attended the dinner meeting, wrote in his column that the Chinese view the CPEC as a strategic project – meaning a project to undercut American influence in the region.
Saleem Safi's column, title "Is China Unhappy?" was published by Roznama Jang, a leading Urdu-language newspaper.
Following are excerpts from the column:[3]
"While The Discussion Was Supposed To Be About CPEC And Pakistan-China Relations, We Also Discussed China's Relations With America, Russia, And Europe, And Gained Knowledge In The Process"
"Liu Jianchao, a minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China and member of the party's Central Committee, is visiting Pakistan on a two-day trip [June 20-22, 2024]. Besides being an experienced diplomat and politician, he is one of the important figures in the Communist Party. This trip is being considered as a follow-up to the issues decided during the Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's visit to China [June 4-8, 2024].
"As a representative of the Communist Party, he wants to meet with non-governmental figures in Pakistan to gather first-hand information. At the beginning of his visit, the Chinese ambassador in Pakistan, Jiang Zaidong, hosted a dinner for him to facilitate the exchange of ideas. Pakistani dignitaries such as Senator Saleem Mandviwalla, [former ambassador to the U.S.] Dr. Maleeha Lodhi, Sahil Mahmood (former Foreign Secretary), Naghmana Hashmi (former Pakistani ambassador in China), Dr. Zafar Nawaz Jaspal, and this student [journalist Saleem Safi himself] were invited. Along with the delegation members accompanying the Minister, officials from the embassy were also present.
"There was sufficient time, and unlike other diplomats, Liu Jianchao was engaging in an open casual conversation. So, it was a delightful meeting and an opportunity to understand the Chinese perspective on various issues. We also listened attentively to them, and they also listened to us attentively. While the discussion was supposed to be about CPEC and Pakistan-China relations, we also discussed China's relations with America, Russia, and Europe, and gained knowledge in the process.
"From their conversation, it was evident that Chinese officials neither talk about, nor give much thought to, the ongoing debates and discussions in our country. We as Pakistanis are also greatly concerned over the tensions between America and China, but the Chinese are confident in themselves and are well prepared....
"They said that our motto is not victory, but success. Victory implies thinking about defeating others, while success means focusing only on your own achievements, and this is our success. Similarly, regarding the BRI [Belt and Road Initiative] project, they said: 'We are moving forward with shared prosperity and keep in mind the foundation of relations with those countries we are engaged with.'
"In our group [of Pakistani figures attending the dinner], apart from me, all the other members were measured and diplomatic in their conversations; so, they also gave excellent suggestions and posed questions. However, instead of expressing my opinion, I confined myself to asking questions, and that, too, in a very blunt manner. I told them that initially, it was only propaganda being spread outside, but now it seems that some circles within the country are also creating the impression that China is frustrated with the dealings and bureaucratic incompetence and obstacles from Pakistanis toward the CPEC. Pakistan's speed does not match China's speed.
"Security issues are separate from this. That is why, in China, the idea gaining momentum is to either roll back CPEC, or put it in cold storage indefinitely. And perhaps for this reason, it seems that work has not yet started on the second phase of CPEC. While listening to my question, Liu Jianchao was smiling between his lips and then seemed to say that there is no such thing - there is no second thought being promoted in China."
"Regarding The Matters With America: He [Liu Jianchao] Said A Good Thing That Russia And Our Harmony Is Greater; We Have Good Relations With A Large Number Of Developing And ASEAN Countries, While Some European Countries Also Want To Emerge From American Influence"
"The Chinese have one view that Pakistan is a trusted friend and an all-weather ally. Three things are mentioned about Pakistan in China. Firstly, Pakistan is a trusted friend and strategic partner. Secondly, the security situation there is not reassuring. And thirdly, investment in Pakistan is a risky business. Despite all these factors, we have initiated CPEC, and will continue to move forward with this project in collaboration with Pakistan.
"[The Chinese view remains:] These difficulties are there, but we know the source of these difficulties. Despite the existence of these challenges, we initiated the CPEC and will continue working toward its completion with the same spirit. There is no question of dragging our feet, [either] from CPEC or Pakistan. On the one hand, Pakistan is not only a friend, but also a strategic partner. On the other hand, CPEC is a flagship project of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Yes, we, both countries, are making efforts to control the difficulties.
Liu Jianchao (second from left), head of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, meets with Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif (first right) in Islamabad, Pakistan, June 21, 2024. Image courtesy: Dawn.com.
"Jokingly, he [Liu Jianchao] said: "Today, I felt that extraordinary security arrangements were made for me as well. After the visit of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, I have arrived now, and we have also formed a task force which will come to Pakistan very soon to enhance cooperation with Pakistan on Phase 2 [of CPEC]. However, he also mentioned, in another subtext, that if China has progressed, the reason behind this is political stability, and Pakistan also needs political stability for development. Regarding the matters with America, he said, '[It is] a good thing that Russia and our harmony is greater. We have good relations with a large number of developing and ASEAN countries, while some European countries also want to emerge from the American influence.'
"These were the important points of Mr. Liu Jianchao's conversation. However, the impression I derived from the three-hour session is that the Chinese are united in favor of advancing the CPEC. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is not just a flagship project of BRI for them, but also a strategic project. As strategic partners, they do not want to leave Pakistan alone under any circumstances. However, they do not like the politics surrounding CPEC in Pakistan. They want to see it as a project of Pakistan, not a project of any political party.
"Similarly, they are also frustrated with Pakistan's bureaucratic culture. The security situation is a major concern for them. Similarly, they are concerned about the political instability in Pakistan and are desirous of political stability. However, it does not mean they are contemplating reconsideration of CPEC or of relations with Pakistan. Like a sincere friend, their only difficulty is that they want the work on CPEC to progress at the speed at which they complete their projects in their own country…. They want the same speed and approach for industrial development that they had adopted [in China]."
