China Should Ignore the Critics and Do Whats Best For CPEC: Report

Chinese officials have long stated that constructive criticism is always welcome, but there has got to be a bottom line: China should not let the noise get in the way of doing the right thing for itself and other countries.

China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, or known in Pakistan as the CPEC. Despite tangible benefits CPEC projects have brought to Pakistan, there has been no shortage of noise about the $60-billion program between China and Pakistan, according to a report published in Global Times on Monday.

The report stated that, as infrastructure and energy projects under CPEC reach their milestone, some foreign officials, experts and journalists have constantly linked Pakistan’s domestic economic woes, such as a foreign exchange reserve crunch, to the projects; some even went too far suggesting that China, through the billions of investments in Pakistan, have controlled the country.

No one with full knowledge of the project and its financial structure believe that. But the truth, according to some officials, top experts and business leaders in Pakistan, is that this noise does have an implication if let unchallenged.

Coupled with other false information regarding Pakistan’s security situation and tense domestic political competition, they say this noise could discourage more Chinese companies and organizations from further engaging in Pakistan and slow the progress of the CPEC.

Top officials, experts, business leaders and ordinary Pakistanis frequently point out that despite tangible benefits from CPEC and the broader China-Pakistan cooperation, China has rarely taken the initiative to speak out about these results and counter the negative global narrative, and more Chinese businesses are reluctant to come to Pakistan.

They also pointed out a key theme with regard to CPEC and the broader China-Pakistan ties, which is that China’s investment in infrastructure and energy projects is not enough and that China should get more deeply involved in all aspects of Pakistan—from industrial to social development.

In Islamabad, officials say they want to learn more from China’s experience in economic development and need China’s help in shoring up Pakistan’s industrial sector; in Karachi, academics say they want to cooperate with Chinese universities in both science and technology research; businessmen say they want to work with private Chinese companies said the report in Global Times.

To put it simply, the report suggested that those who have nothing to do with China-Pakistani relations paint a picture of China exerting influence in Pakistan and other countries through economic activities, Pakistan wants more reassurance that its economy is not on the verge of going bankrupt as portrayed by some, and will be able to meet its financial obligations once economic activities pick up with the implementation of CPEC.

Pakistan does need China’s help, as it faces a slew of economic challenges, including a backward industrial supply chain, weak foreign trade and a huge portion of its population still living in poverty and without proper education.

China should not let the noise get in the way of doing the right thing for itself and other countries.


  • China is not interested in helping Pakistan. China is only interested in helping itself.

    Our economy is on the verge of bankruptcy. The Chinese know this and the Americans know. Only people who seem to be in denial are Pakistanis. Perhaps this is why China keeps Pakistanis at arms length. It knows that Pakistanis have difficulty accepting reality.

  • China leaving Pakistan should not be a concern. China is not going to leave Pakistan, even if Pakistan would have wanted it to.


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