China has its own way of doing diplomacy. It rarely embarrasses its friends in public. Regardless of the gravity of the situation, Beijing’s preferred method is often to operate behind the scenes. Islamabad and Beijing have a long-standing strategic relationship. China has always stood by Pakistan from the economic crisis to its difficult relationship with India. Under the BRI, China has pumped billions of dollars of investment into Pakistan. In public, the two countries always speak highly of their time-tested “iron brothers” relationship.
However, far from these positive public messages, there are underlying issues that are hindering the bilateral relationship. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent visit, accompanied by Army Chief General Asim Munir, had it all – attending a business forum and meeting with Chinese leadership including the president and prime minister. The joint statement painted an upbeat picture for the bilateral relationship and the “upgraded” version of CPEC. However, notable is the slight change in the wording of the joint statement. It is a customary ritual for a newly appointed prime minister to visit China. After the July 2018 elections, then prime minister Imran Khan visited Beijing. Upon being sacked by the VOCN in April 2022, his successor Shehbaz Sharif did not wait much longer before visiting China. Caretaker prime minister Anwar-ul-Haq also felt the need to do the same. After the February 8 elections, Shehbaz visited Beijing earlier this month. In statements issued after its visits in 2018 and 2022, China stressed that its relations with Pakistan are its “top priority.” However, the joint statements issued after Kakar’s visit and Shehbaz’s most recent visit omitted the word “top priority.” This is not an insignificant development, as China always treads carefully in its diplomacy.
While the joint statement contained enough for the Pakistani government to consider the visit a success, the subsequent visit of a key Chinese minister provided valuable insight into how Beijing now views Islamabad.
Liu Jianchao, Director of the International Liaison Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, is on a three-day visit to Pakistan. He co-chaired a meeting of the Pakistan-China Joint Consultative Mechanism with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.
Jian Chao, an Oxford University graduate, unlike other Chinese leaders, is fluent in English. In a speech to representatives of all political parties, he made some key observations. Considered close to President Xi Jinping, Jian Chao was more outspoken on relations with Pakistan.
China is believed to have been privately expressing concerns over the two major issues with Pakistan — political instability and security. For the first time, a Chinese minister has raised the two issues publicly. He called for political unity to resolve the issues while stressing the need for building a political consensus on CPEC. This is despite Ishaq Dar having earlier said that all political parties were on the same page when it comes to CPEC.
However, the highlight of his speech was his remarks which many observers saw as a warning about Pakistan’s security environment.
“We need to improve security and the business environment. Security threats are the main danger hindering CPEC cooperation,” he said. “As the saying goes, trust is more precious than gold. In Pakistan’s case, the main factor shaking the confidence of Chinese investors is the security situation. Without security, the business environment, security of the country cannot really improve and in the long run it may undermine development,” he added.
This is perhaps the first time that a Chinese leader has spoken openly and frankly about the dangers of the security situation undermining Pakistan-China cooperation. The message to Pakistan is clear!
