Enduring Pak-China Relations Essay

During Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilanis realize to china, there defy been speculations that he undertook this emergency trip in the wash of Osama bin Ladens killing in Abbottabad by US forces. Nothing could be further from the truth. During the visit, the Chinese leadership assured Pakistan of their mount support in its hour of need. Prime Minister Wen Jiabao sensible Pakistan that China had urged the US to respect Pakistans sovereignty. In addition to agreements on banking, technical and economic co exploit, China agreed to expedite the delivery of 50 J-17F Thunder fighter jets to Pakistan.This has provoked some American Congressmen to interpret it as Pakistans leaning on China to countervail pressure from Washington. remote to speculations, this visit was non prompted by the Abbottabad incident. It was planned much before and was musical composition of the ongoing Pak-China strategic relations. Also, 2011 marks the 60th anniversary of the Pak-China relationship and has b een designated as the year of friendship between the two countries, which was reflected in the celebrations and extraordinarily perfervid welcome extended to Pakistans prime minister in China. Therefore, to counsel that the visit was organised on the spur of the moment is misleading.Pakistan and China realize a longstanding relationship, especially since 1962, when China and India went to war over a disputed border. The Chinese have been steadfast friends and have supported Pakistan with thick and thin. Chinas interest lies in a electrostatic and prosperous Pakistan. They have been very generous in sharing their phylogenesis and progress in the economic and technical fields and have aided Pakistan in every possible manner. Therefore, the visit of Prime Minister Gilani should not be considered as reactive.Pakistan is a sovereign country (despite challenges) and has the right to consume its friends and explore options for positive relationships different than the US. Pakistan is not bound to have a hotshot-track relationship with the world through the US. The US raid in Abbottabad created a perception that Pakistans air force is weak and compromised, prompting India to stimulation that it could carry out similar attacks on jihadi outfits in Pakistan. want a true friend, the Chinese have agreed to speed up the production and delivery of 50 JF-17 Thunder aircraft for Pakistan. This has not only direct a clear signal to the world that China stands by Pakistan yet will actually strengthen our air defense against any such(prenominal) misadventure. Gwadar portChina has a keen interest that Pakistans stack to become a trade and energy corridor, which links Central Asia, Russia and China with the warm waters of the Arabian Sea should become a reality. If the Gwadar mien develops and is linked with rail and road infrastructure, Chinas interests will withal be served. Compared to shipping from the eastern seaports, trade through Pakistan will tremendousl y ease trade for China. China wants to develop its relatively undeveloped internal western components. The best way to achieve this is to provide an outlet for the region through Gwadar. The Chinese have agreed to take over the operation of Gwadar Port after the contract with the Singapore Port Authority expires in anticipation of this dream becoming a reality. China has stakes in a developed and prosperous Pakistan and is ready to help it grow. Is Pakistan ready to return this opportunity and develop the capacity to take advantage of Chinese sympathy?SECOND EDITORIAL Attack on US Consulate staff another(prenominal) day, another attack. An improvised explosive device (IED) struck two stiff Land Cruisers of the US Consulate staff in Peshawar on Friday, injuring 11 passel and killing one passerby. Two consulate forcefulness suffered minor injuries in this inaugural attack on US diplomats after the operation that killed Osama bin Laden. This comes in a sequence of similar attac ks that have been taking place throughout the country since al Qaedas leader was killed, including against Saudi personnel in their Karachi consulate. It is feared that this is just the beginning as the extremists might be acquiring warmed up to fulfil their pledge of r purge soge against Pakistan, the US and other countries that had a part to play in bin Ladens death. Other NATO countries too are on the terrorists hit list. The Taliban have claimed tariff for the Peshawar attack and have declared it retribution for bin Ladens death at the hands of US Navy SEALs.When such a red alert situation exists in the country, it is shameful that adequate warrantor measures are still lacking to prevent such attacks from taking place. comely as Osama was a high value target for the US, likewise, US, European, Saudi and even Pakistani citizens are high-value targets for the militants. To have foreign and our own citizens under affright on our shores and to be woefully unequipped to protect them is pathetic, to say the least. It is virtually as if the surety forces in Pakistan are too de-motivated in the reckon of a murky, bloodthirsty enemy.The area where this latest attack took place, University Town, is considered to be one of the more posh residential locations in Peshawar. It is a community where foreigners commonly live. For a militant onslaught to take place there shows that even the most well-off of places is unsafe, what to say of the rest of the country. The security and law enforcement agencies have to get their act together. Our intelligence establishment cannot afford to fall torpid (again?) in the wake of the bin Laden episode and our police and security forces need burst methods of detection and prevention. Arrangements must be made to better police the streets and allow citizens, whether international or local, to move about without incur the risk of being blown to bits. * Home Editorial