Future Development of CPEC & BRI and Emerging Global Geopolitics

Analytics 15:00 31.01.2024

Ednews reprints the article "Future Development of CPEC & BRI and Emerging Global Geopolitics"  by Dr Mehmood Ul Hassan Khan.

A healthy debate is ongoing on the newly announced concepts of “up-grade vision” and “inclusion of third party” in China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in the country. , Chinese President Xi Jinping has also announced key “strategic priorities” of the BRI in the next phase which comprise qualitative industrialization, modernization, innovation, digitalization, artificial intelligence, green transformation, hybrid agriculture last but not least, human capital, and national capacity building measures catering the pace of numerous mega projects of the BRI in all the member countries around the globe. 

China has invested US$25.4 billion in direct projects of the CPEC in Pakistan, which created 236,000 jobs, generated 8,000 megawatts of electricity, and built 510 kilometers of highways and 886 km of the national electricity grid which play an important role in the smooth sailing of the macro-economy in the country. 

The CPEC flagship project of the BRI has brought great constructive changes to Pakistan, which is reflected in the fields of economy, urban construction, and energy. In the future, it hopes to carry out broader cooperation with China in the fields of economic development, education, health, climate change, and so on. Moreover, CPEC Phase-II would bring more progress and prosperity in the country in the days to come in which new concepts of up-gradate vision and inclusion of third parties would be supportive. 

According to the Chinese figures, the BRI has seen the completion of over 3,000 projects within the last ten years. This expansive effort has garnered support from more than 180 countries and international organizations which is a good omen for the regional as well as international economy.

According to many published reports, the BRI has become a mega development project with US$4 trillion investment in more than 160 countries, 1590 projects of 1.9 trillion tagged to BRI, and 1574 projects of 2.1 t were Chinese investments.

Main projects pertaining to infrastructure development, formation of corridors, rail & transport connectivity, ports, and railways in Western China, Central Asia, Western Asia, and Europe remained strategic priorities during the last ten years. Cargo trains run from Spain to China’s Western province Xingjian highlighted the increasing influence of China in the world

Moreover, the continuation of holding various high official meetings between the governments and policymakers of China and the USA has now opened a “new window” of opportunity for Pakistan to “accelerate” the CPEC Phase-II in the country in terms of seeking more and more inflows of FDIs from the interested regional countries mainly UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, GCC, and Indonesia in the ongoing mega projects of the CPEC in its phase-II. 

It would also further “widen” the scope of the CPEC Phase-II in terms of further strengthening of spirits of geo-economics and trans-regional connectivity in the days to come in which the role of SIFC would be important.

Most recently held 4th meeting of CPEC Joint Working Group on International Cooperation and Coordination (JWG-ICC) laid the “foundations” of up-grade vision and inclusion of third party in the ongoing projects CPEC Phase-II in the country.

Frankly speaking it clearly demonstrates the government’s commitment of both sides to foster international cooperation and coordination including CPEC. It is good omen that both countries reviewed with satisfaction the progress made since the third meeting of the Joint Working Group held virtually on 21 July 2022. Thus holding of the 4th meeting of CPEC JWC-ICC upholds spirits of positivity, productivity and meaningful participation. 

The ongoing various meetings between the Chinese and the US high officials and policy makers will hopefully streamline bilateral relations and remove negative  perceptions on different regional as well as international socio-economic, geopolitical and geostrategic matters which will definitely ease bilateral tensions, promote trade, commerce, investments and develop better political understanding in the days to come. 

 

The recent meeting of Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee with the US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan was held which carried forward the good spirits of Xi-Biden head of the states’ meeting of San Francisco. 

 

The meeting upheld constructive, holistic, comprehensive and supportive spirits and tried to make bridges of mutual trust, respect, caring & sharing of mutual interests through discarding geopolitics and move towards geo-economics in the days to come. Nevertheless, it will largely depend upon the US's future conduct and official commitment towards one-China principle and three China-US joint communiqués. 

 

During the 12 hours long meeting over two days Wang shared the formula for further strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries, comprising of creation of spirits of equality and tranquility by avoiding disdainful attitudes, seeking common ground, and mutual respect, and stopping undermining each other's core interests.

 

It is a good beginning that both sides are trying to stabilize bilateral relations through strategic dialogues, building confidence-building measures, and an appropriate environment for future progress however, the Taiwan question is likely to persist, and potentially intensify. 


It predicts that recently held meetings which spanned more than 12 hours over two days, will provide a launching pad for the restoration of strategic communication channels, diplomatic, military, economic, financial, business, and climate change dialogues and consultations between two sides. The better political understanding and socio-economic integration and lifting of the investment ban from the Chinese companies from the US side will create a strategic cushion for the Pakistani side to seek more and more inflows of the FDIs and qualitative industrial development in the country.  

 

In summary, according to international media and the Chinese Foreign Ministry, both countries also discussed international and regional issues pertaining to the Middle East (Israel-Hamas), the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the Korean Peninsula, and the South China Sea which vividly reflected the increasing role of China in the regional as well as international affairs to achieve peace and stability. 

 

It is recommended that the US government and policymakers should stop speculations and an overly calculating attitude towards China and jointly work for common grounds of regional as well as international peace and stability in the days to come. The exchange of delegations at various levels should not be stopped and try to make good use of current strategic communication channels.

The recently held meeting between Wang-Sullivan reflected strong commitments from both sides for strengthening the communication channels. It is suggested that true spirits of geopolitical accommodation, geo-economic integration and geo-strategic supportive cooperation between two sides will be a balancing act to resolve the existing conflicts in the world.

Pakistan has the golden opportunity to avail this golden opportunity to accelerate pace of the CPEC Phase-II in the country. The genie of geopolitics is on the decline giving way for geo-economics and greater trans-regional connectivity. The up-grade vision and inclusion of the third party in CPEC Phase-II should be streamlined, strengthened and systematized.  

The author is Dr Mehmood Ul Hassan Khan, Executive Director of The Center for South & International Studies (CSAIS) Islamabad 
 

IEPF issued a statement regarding Azerbaijani children at the UN Human Rights Council

News line

Members of the Public Council under ANAMA have visited the region
16:52 08.05.2025
The "Roots of Peace" organization will host the "Peace Walk"
16:49 08.05.2025
"Since 1948 SL Heads of State have ‘relayed’ on the Ethnic conflict"
15:32 08.05.2025
A conference on the topic "Heydar Aliyev-Independence and Glorious Victory" was held in Lachin
12:44 08.05.2025
Azerbaijan showcases tourism opportunities in Israel
12:39 08.05.2025
''Azerbaijan House'' opened in Lebanon
12:33 08.05.2025
Vietnam prioritizes strategic and political cooperation with Azerbaijan
12:27 08.05.2025
Opening of new Baku City Prosecutor's Office building held
12:23 08.05.2025
Azerbaijani and Morocco may organize mutual cultural days
12:15 08.05.2025
Sahiba Gafarova: Heydar Aliyev's personality is symbol of wisdom for every Azerbaijani
12:09 08.05.2025
Milli Majlis to adopt statement on Heydar Aliyev's 102nd birth anniversary
12:03 08.05.2025
Azerbaijan Confederation of Trade Unions organized an event
11:58 08.05.2025
The 102nd anniversary of the birth of National Leader Heydar Aliyev was celebrated in Berlin
11:52 08.05.2025
Azerbaijan's First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva attended session at Antalya Diplomacy Forum
11:43 08.05.2025
Azerbaijan, Vietnam explore prospects for educational cooperation
11:37 08.05.2025
Petrovietnam aims to expand cooperation with Azerbaijan
11:32 08.05.2025
The heads of state of Azerbaijan and Vietnam made statements to the press
11:29 08.05.2025
Kamran Aliyev:' 'Heydar Aliyev had unparalleled role as founder of Azerbaijani statehood''
11:24 08.05.2025
Azerbaijani and Vietnamese discuss strategic partnership
11:21 08.05.2025
Azerbaijan ready for further coordination and cooperation with Syria
11:16 08.05.2025
Scientists have discovered a possible candidate for the ninth planet in the solar system
11:12 08.05.2025
Business Council to be established between Azerbaijan and Vietnam
11:08 08.05.2025
May 8 is World Thalassemia Day
11:03 08.05.2025
Special session of Milli Majlis dedicated to year of Constitution and sovereignty
10:59 08.05.2025
General Secretary of the Central Committee Of Vietnam visited the Alley of Martyrs
10:51 08.05.2025
General Secretary of the Central Committee of Vietnam visits the Old City
10:47 08.05.2025
Azerbaijan's position with China as a reliable partner is strengthening
10:43 08.05.2025
The Aztelekom flag was raised at the Heydar Aliyev Summit
10:39 08.05.2025
President: There are great prospects for cooperation between Azerbaijan and Vietnam in the defense industry
10:34 08.05.2025
Azerbaijani and Iraqi FMs explore regional issues
10:25 08.05.2025
Joint Statement opens new chapter in the history of Vietnam-Azerbaijan relations
10:12 08.05.2025
Leaders of Azerbaijan and Vietnam viewed exhibition of Vietnamese paintings
10:09 08.05.2025
Azerbaijani Foreign Minister meets with Iraqi PM
10:02 08.05.2025
Rebuilding hope amid the landmines Thembisa Fakude writting...
13:45 07.05.2025
How TikTok and Instagram Became New Tools of Diplomacy?
12:44 07.05.2025
Students of one of Turkey's leading universities were informed about the legacy of the great Nizami Ganjavi
12:26 07.05.2025
Azerbaijani energy minister holds several meetings in Türkiye
12:21 07.05.2025
Azerbaijan-Iran bilateral cooperation agenda discussed in Baku
12:18 07.05.2025
Azerbaijan shows progress in banking regulatory reforms
12:17 07.05.2025
About 20 Azerbaijani citizens returned from Germany yesterday
12:13 07.05.2025
Hamısı