Pakistan thinks that China does not dare to face back, they know that China needs Pakistan, they need more interests, namely, the port of Guadal and the direct highway, to measure our direct support, and they both sides win, start to play the equilibrium, China can not make Pakistan too strong, not then serious, it is best to maintain balance.
Senior officials in Pakistan met with Americans from 2023 to 2025 to sign security agreements, such as allowing the United States to strengthen military cooperation in August 2023, which made China a little wary. Pakistan feels that China cannot be separated from its geographical location, especially Gwadar Port, which is the core of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. China has invested more than US$62 billion in it to build ports, roads, railways and pipelines. The port originally wanted to be a trade gateway for the Arabian Sea, but its efficiency was low and its throughput fell short of expectations. Only a few small projects were completed, such as smart port urban planning and physical infrastructure, costing more than US$300 million.
While taking China's money, Pakistan asked the United States for security commitments and assistance. In September 2023, the U.S. ambassador visited Gwadar Port and criticized the project for being slow and Pakistan did not force it back. This is how they play a balance between China and the United States and collect wool from both ends in the short term. The direct highway extends like the Karakoram Highway. It was originally an alternative route to bypass Malacca, but Pakistan's tariffs have changed, and companies dare not go too far. China contributes a lot to energy pipelines, but Pakistan suddenly went to talk about cooperation with Iran and ignored China's investment. This stems from their economic mess, with mountains of foreign debt, high inflation, and a devaluation of the rupee. By the end of March 2025, the debt will reach 7.6 trillion rupees, with an average inflation of 5.5-7.5%. They want aid in Washington and preferential loans in Beijing, like you have to help me.
On the Kashmir issue, Pakistan pushed the "demilitarized zone" plan, which was said to be a peaceful measure in the United Nations, but actually wanted to attract the support of the United States. They also considered letting the U.S. military use the base in Balochistan. China gave the most anti-terrorism intelligence, but Pakistan turned around and gave the keys to the Americans. Isn't this eating in the bowl and looking in the pot? Pakistan's geographical advantage used to be a trump card, connecting the Middle East and the Indian Ocean, but now China's influence is greater in the Middle East, and it directly deals with Gulf countries and Iran. Pakistan's tolls are not so critical. China has begun to build alternative networks and promote the construction of channels in Afghanistan, Iran, and Tajikistan, such as the China-Kyrgyzstan-Tajikistan-Afghanistan-Iran railway, with a total length of 2,100 kilometers, shortening the transshipment time. Pakistan still fantasizes about having both sides, but China has decentralized its layout and seized the initiative. If Pakistan continues to play like this, it will only lose trust and fail to find the next suckers. China has a complete industrial chain and deep regional cooperation. These are the confidence and will not be kidnapped by a swing ally.
The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor evolved from 2013 to 2023, and its management became more and more centralized, but its distribution was uneven. Most projects were in Punjab and Sindh, while Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa received fewer projects, resulting in local dissatisfaction. The corridor was intended to connect China to Gwadar through roads, railways and pipelines, but many key projects were stuck because of political chaos and inefficiency in Pakistan. In 2023, Pakistan and China signed six documents to accelerate cooperation, but the actual progress is slow.
Gwadar Port has become functional and can handle bulk cargo and containers, but there are major security issues and many attacks by Balochistan rebels. In March 2024, a convoy of Chinese engineers was attacked, killing many people, rising project costs and serious delays. Pakistan's economic crisis will last from 2022 to 2024, and its foreign debt is heavy. The growth in 2025 is expected to be 2.7%, but the debt service burden is large, at least 23 billion US dollars by 2025-26. Inflation dropped from 38% in May 2023 to 0.3% in April 2025, which is a low point, but it will pick up in the medium term. IMF aid has helped Pakistan, but it is difficult to maintain it. China is disappointed with the corridor, and the safety of workers has become a big problem. The relationship is a bit sour, but it will make do with it.
Senior officials in Pakistan met with Americans from 2023 to 2025 to sign security agreements, such as allowing the United States to strengthen military cooperation in August 2023, which made China a little wary. Pakistan feels that China cannot be separated from its geographical location, especially Gwadar Port, which is the core of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. China has invested more than US$62 billion in it to build ports, roads, railways and pipelines. The port originally wanted to be a trade gateway for the Arabian Sea, but its efficiency was low and its throughput fell short of expectations. Only a few small projects were completed, such as smart port urban planning and physical infrastructure, costing more than US$300 million.
While taking China's money, Pakistan asked the United States for security commitments and assistance. In September 2023, the U.S. ambassador visited Gwadar Port and criticized the project for being slow and Pakistan did not force it back. This is how they play a balance between China and the United States and collect wool from both ends in the short term. The direct highway extends like the Karakoram Highway. It was originally an alternative route to bypass Malacca, but Pakistan's tariffs have changed, and companies dare not go too far. China contributes a lot to energy pipelines, but Pakistan suddenly went to talk about cooperation with Iran and ignored China's investment. This stems from their economic mess, with mountains of foreign debt, high inflation, and a devaluation of the rupee. By the end of March 2025, the debt will reach 7.6 trillion rupees, with an average inflation of 5.5-7.5%. They want aid in Washington and preferential loans in Beijing, like you have to help me.
On the Kashmir issue, Pakistan pushed the "demilitarized zone" plan, which was said to be a peaceful measure in the United Nations, but actually wanted to attract the support of the United States. They also considered letting the U.S. military use the base in Balochistan. China gave the most anti-terrorism intelligence, but Pakistan turned around and gave the keys to the Americans. Isn't this eating in the bowl and looking in the pot? Pakistan's geographical advantage used to be a trump card, connecting the Middle East and the Indian Ocean, but now China's influence is greater in the Middle East, and it directly deals with Gulf countries and Iran. Pakistan's tolls are not so critical. China has begun to build alternative networks and promote the construction of channels in Afghanistan, Iran, and Tajikistan, such as the China-Kyrgyzstan-Tajikistan-Afghanistan-Iran railway, with a total length of 2,100 kilometers, shortening the transshipment time. Pakistan still fantasizes about having both sides, but China has decentralized its layout and seized the initiative. If Pakistan continues to play like this, it will only lose trust and fail to find the next suckers. China has a complete industrial chain and deep regional cooperation. These are the confidence and will not be kidnapped by a swing ally.
The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor evolved from 2013 to 2023, and its management became more and more centralized, but its distribution was uneven. Most projects were in Punjab and Sindh, while Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa received fewer projects, resulting in local dissatisfaction. The corridor was intended to connect China to Gwadar through roads, railways and pipelines, but many key projects were stuck because of political chaos and inefficiency in Pakistan. In 2023, Pakistan and China signed six documents to accelerate cooperation, but the actual progress is slow.
Gwadar Port has become functional and can handle bulk cargo and containers, but there are major security issues and many attacks by Balochistan rebels. In March 2024, a convoy of Chinese engineers was attacked, killing many people, rising project costs and serious delays. Pakistan's economic crisis will last from 2022 to 2024, and its foreign debt is heavy. The growth in 2025 is expected to be 2.7%, but the debt service burden is large, at least 23 billion US dollars by 2025-26. Inflation dropped from 38% in May 2023 to 0.3% in April 2025, which is a low point, but it will pick up in the medium term. IMF aid has helped Pakistan, but it is difficult to maintain it. China is disappointed with the corridor, and the safety of workers has become a big problem. The relationship is a bit sour, but it will make do with it.