Effect of one Belt one Road on Global Trading Routes

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Key Policy Responses

To address these threats there are several key policy responses that have been undertaken by both parties. It is evident that a peaceful security environment is crucial for the construction of the corridor and the Pakistan military considers the smooth implantation of CPEC as a ‘do or die’ situation, having ‘established an Army Division of 15,000 personnel laced with modern means of communication, transportation and weaponry’ (Hussain, E. 2016) that will directly be tasked with protecting the infrastructure projects under CPEC. While China is not able to have much involvement in Pakistan’s security situation, its main policy response has been to promote the economic benefits that will arise for Pakistan under CPEC and underline their commitment to the various infrastructure projects that have been planned. China has heavily advocated the opening of ‘new avenues of trade between the two countries’ (Shaukat 2016) and supported Pakistan’s decision to boost the security surrounding CPEC. While both China and Pakistan have been active in responding to the challenges being faced, an effective long-term solution will be needed, with several additional being required to ensure that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor reaches its beneficial potential.

Recommendations:

- Ensuring that Pakistan’s local populations being from the economic gains arising from CPEC.

A foremost recommendation is for Pakistan to make a greater effort in ensuring that provinces such as Balochistan and Kyber Pakhtunkhwa truly benefit economically from the infrastructure projects that will be taking place in their region. The potential employment that such projects could offer are enormous, and have the possibility of radically improving the livings standards of these relatively poor regions. Local populations must be involved in the economic activities alongside the corridor, which will not only involve short-term infrastructure construction but also the long-term operation and maintenance of these new facilities. If these already unstable provinces feel that they are not benefiting from the economic activities in their region, then there is a strong chance that they will begin to work against the government’s objectives for CPEC, which may threaten the success of the entire corridor. The Pakistani government has already established Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) in both provinces (Hussain, E. 2016), which is an important step in maintaining harmony and localised economic growth, and they will need to remain vigilant in preserving these intentions.

- China must adjust their security policy in Xinjiang in order to maintain harmony in a highly strategic region.

A lesser-discussed point of concern is the security situation in Xinjiang, China’s largest province in terms of land size and a region that has a predominantly Uyghur Muslim population. In recent years, the Chinese government has been forceful in cracking down on any sign of political dissidents, with the local Uyghur population becoming increasingly spiteful against the actions of the Chinese government. This has led heavy resistance, most notably the 2009 Urumqi riots as well as a spate of relatively minor terrorist attacks. The city of Kashgar, which is the final point of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is comprised of an 81% Uyghur Muslim population (Orenstein, Jiang, & Hamburg 2011). If China does not calm the increasingly volatile situation in Xinjiang, there may be grave consequences for the success of CPEC and it is evident that the forceful tactics used by the Chinese government in their attempt to ensure stability are only resulting in a greater level of animosity in the region. My recommendation is for the Chinese government to greatly adjust their approach to the regional security of Xinjiang by creating a more inclusive political environment that factors in the needs of the local population. They cannot continue to repress the Uyghurs through increasingly heavy-handed tactics and expect them to be accepting of the large-scale infrastructure projects that are taking place in their region. The Chinese government must take the higher moral ground and ensure harmony through consultation rather than provocation in a region that is so vital to their long-term economic growth.[pic 5]

Conclusion

In conclusion, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is a massive undertaking that will providing vast economic benefits to both China and Pakistan if it can be successfully implemented. It will allow China to protect their long-term energy security and will result in a huge boost for Pakistan’s economy through the massive infrastructure projects that it will offer. The challenge for both parties is maintaining security in the key regions that will be involved in the corridor and ensuring that political and environmental factors do not hinder on the formation of the corridor. The key recommendations that can be provided after analysing the factors surrounding CPEC largely involve the governments of China and Pakistan creating a harmonious political environment for the local populations of the several regions that will be key elements of the corridor. If China and Pakistan can make CPEC successful, they will both benefit greatly and position themselves to receive long-term economic benefits from the initiative.

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References:

Hussain, E. (2016). China–Pakistan Economic Corridor: Will It Sustain Itself? Fudan Journal of theue Humanities and Social Sciences, Fudan Journal of the Humanities and Social Sciences, 8/8/2016.

Hussain, J. (2016). China Pakistan Economic Corridor. Defence Journal, 19(6), 13-21.

Shaikh, Ji, & Fan. (2016). Prospects of Pakistan–China Energy and Economic Corridor. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 59, 253-263.

Haider, M. (2015). Maritime Prospects of China Pakistan Economic Corridor. Defence Journal, 18(10), 27-29.

Khalid, Iram. (2013). Indian Ocean: Global and Regional Strategies. Journal of Political Studies, 20(2), Journal of Political Studies, Dec 31, 2013, Vol.20(2).

Nolintha, Vinthan. 2012. Economic sub-corridors and potential for regional development. Eds. Masami Ishida. Emerging Economic Corridors in the Mekong Region. BRC Research Report No. 8. Bangkok Research Center.

Centre for Pakistan and Gulf Studies (CPGS) 2014, Pakistan – China Relations: Prospects & Challenges Report

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