India-Pakistan Woes Should Not Affect CPEC; China Says Its A Third Party In The Project: CCP Bullhorn Global Times
In a rare press conference on Saturday, Pakistani senior officials claimed
that they have extensive evidence of India supporting terrorism aimed at
destabilizing Pakistan and sabotaging its economic partnership with China.
According to Pakistani military spokesman Maj Gen. Babar Iftikhar, Indian
intelligence agents were specifically targeting Chinese development projects
initiated through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), and India even
sponsored a 700-member militia for the purposes of wrecking this flagship
program under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), media reports said.
While we don't know the details of the allegations made by Pakistan and what
exactly has happened, China has always expressed firm support to the
development of the CPEC. So it is certain that China will keep a close eye on
how the issue unfolds in the future.
Back in 2017 when India openly refused to be a part of the BRI cooperation, it
expressed concerns over the CPEC, suggesting that it might influence the
disputed Kashmir region, disregarding the fact that China has repeatedly
stated that its position on the Kashmir dispute would not change because of
the CPEC.
China appreciates Pakistan's contribution to international counter-terrorism and supports #Pakistan in combating terrorism. Any attempt to sabotage #CPEC is doomed to fail, FM said after Pakistani FM blamed #India for damaging CPEC by supporting terrorists. pic.twitter.com/nEHP7FIHei
— Global Times (@globaltimesnews) November 20, 2020
Yet, despite the complicated geopolitical background, the CPEC is committed to
promoting regional connectivity and common prosperity, and is a purely
economic program focusing on cooperation in areas like infrastructure, social
welfare, industry and agriculture.
Pakistan's allegations came just one day after a military conflict with India
in disputed Kashmir. Whether in the Kashmir region or in other regions, it
should be an international norm for both sides not to attack local economic
projects and civilians. Under any circumstances, both countries have the
responsibility to ensure the safety of Chinese personnel and projects.
The Kashmir region is a longstanding source of regional conflict between India
and Pakistan. The geopolitical turmoil has been a major hindrance to local
economic development.
China is a third-party country that has certain economic projects, mostly
infrastructure, in the disputed region. While China has always expressed
willingness to help Kashmir develop its economy through triangular cooperation
with India and Pakistan, there is no denying that Chinese projects have faced
difficulties from geopolitical factors in the past.
The Kashmir region needs economic development, and India and Pakistan need to
guarantee the safety of third-party projects there, otherwise it will be hard
for the local economy to reach outside help and investment. If Chinese
projects are also targeted in the regional conflict, there will be even fewer
opportunities for the region to attract investment and obtain aid.
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