Why US Is Concerned About CPEC?

Editorial

China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a bilateral agreement between the countries designed to steer Pakistan towards a more balanced and resilient economy with collaboration over infrastructure, mining, industry, health, space cooperation, the digital economy, and infrastructure, thus suggesting a stronger and brighter future for a more self-reliant and confident Pakistan. 

What is in it for China?

They can’t be doing this for the goodwill factor or as an act of selfless philanthropy. This is an important question that requires a meaningful response to reassure Pakistanis that their country is not being taken for a ride.

The foremost answer lies in the global geopolitical political scenarios that are being acted out by the existing three superpowers—the US, Russia, and China—and the emerging pretenders, like India. 

The actual game is about maximizing control and influence.

Both the US and Russia have a head start with allegiances and alliances, which give them stronger launching pads to exert political and economic power in different corners of the globe.

For example, the US is propped up by NATO, and Russia benefits from an array of allies, for example, Belarus, China, Iran, India, Syria, and North Korea.

Interestingly, an opinion poll in 2017 by the Moscow-based think tank Levada-Centre highlighted that for Russians, India is one of their top five ‘friends, along with Belarus, China, Kazakhstan, and Syria.

Like the US, China also sees Pakistan as key to its game plan in the region to counter American and Indian designs. It wants to develop Pakistan as a strong ally to counter Indian aspirations and also to minimize Pakistan’s reliance on Americans to loosen their hold on the way to reducing their influence.

On the other hand, the US does not want to let go of Pakistan because it is important to keep Chinese, Indians, Iranians, and Russians in close proximity. This was the ‘original plan for forcefully occupying Afghanistan’ under the convenient pretext of 9/11, a plan that disastrously failed to their embarrassment.

Following the success of the Afghanistan design, the US refocused its efforts on Pakistan but saw China as being in its way.

For the Americans, this is not a tolerable situation. The inquisitive commentators are debating whether there is a plausible link to the terrorist attack on Chinese workers and infrastructure in the North-West Shangle region of Pakistan on April 27, 2024.

Could it be possible that the terrorist attack was aimed at derailing CPEC? 

Unlike Americans and Russians, Chinese are more subtle in the execution of their plans to manage their interests. They rely on economic and social investment and trade to exert influence.

CPEC is also about China and Pakistan joining hands to counter regional Indian and American influence and to keep in check the Russian influence in the area.

Both sides regard each other as close strategic allies, with China assisting Pakistan with economic, technical, and military aid to the immense displeasure of both American and Indian administrations.

Moreover, both China and Pakistan regard it as necessary to maintain a balance of power in the subcontinent favorable to themselves against an India that is believed by both to be an expansionist power.

Notwithstanding American concerns, there are definite tangible long-term benefits for both countries. Pakistani officials predict that CPEC will result in the creation of upwards of 2.3 million jobs by 2030 and add 2 to 2.5 percentage points to the country’s annual economic growth.

For China, the Gwadar Port has the potential to become a hub of economic activity in the region. The port’s strategic location provides easy access to some of the world’s most vital sea lanes. It also offers a shorter trade route between China and the Middle East, Africa, and Europe.

China will also get access, cheap labor, and, of course, ‘business’. CPEC projects are being undertaken by Chinese companies in collaboration with Pakistani governments and companies.

For the Americans, all this is not music to their ears. I am certain that they will not leave any stone unturned to derail or curtail CPEC.

When their backs are up against the wall, they are capable of anything. Not far in the distance, Hiroshima was at the receiving end. Presently, Palestinians are experiencing Israeli-American design. 

Pakistan’s new administration has a major challenge to protect CPEC by restoring Chinese confidence following the recent terrorist attack while keeping Americans greased and contained.