Jan Achakzai |
The 19th National Congress of China’s Communist Party will be held in Beijing. It is very important as new political elite will be appointed to Politburo and Standing Committee. But more significantly, it will chalk out China’s medium-term goals in foreign policy, economy and other aspects of the Chinese government’s activities through its subordinate departments.
19th Congress to Create new Pathways?
The gathering has deep meaning for the stability and the development of China. It will create new pathways for the Chinese development trajectory and mark the beginning of new phase of Chinese’s journey on the path of growth and prosperity. It will help set a new vision for Chinese success story as emerging economic powerhouse. It will also determine the new contours of Chinese quest to transition from low tech economic producing base to high tech economic hub bringing the country at par with the US in innovation and technology.
It expects new Chinese resolve to work for a new rule- based UN and other forums so as to make them more inclusive bodies instead of functioning as relics of the post-Second World War geo-political order envisaged and led by the US
Further synergy and resolve will be created to consolidate China’s efforts for OBOR implementation. Beijing for the first time will be looking at ways to allocate more resources for R&D and deep reforms in education so as to come at par with the US in terms of creating soft power leverage as well.
Read more: Why is India doing propaganda against CPEC?
Multi-polar World?
However, for the rest of us, the 19th National Congress has far-reaching effects on the world order and its structures. The grand meeting will boost the pivot of China to balance the US led geo-political and economic world order in many ways: more resources will be made available to Chinese led lending institutions to help reduce developing countries’ reliance on IMF and other multilateral western financial institutions as lenders of the last resort. Efforts will be expedited to invest more in basic infrastructure of developing countries to lay ground for economic growth of these countries and create a win-win situations.
Islamabad also expects China to play a more assertive role at the world stage including conflict resolutions and in active theatres like Afghanistan, Syria and Iraq
China will be more assertive in encouraging multipolar geo-political order particularly bolstering efforts to find solutions to problems effecting regions connected by the One- Belt-One Road (OBOR). Robust diplomacy and economic muscles will be used to encourage trade, connectivity and human development.
Read more: Pakistan asks US not to see CPEC from the Indian lens
What is in it for Pakistan?
Islamabad as clos partner of China and connector of CPEC, expects the grand huddle in more than one ways. At time when the US has demonized Islamabad and glorified India, Pakistan will want Beijing help in recognizing and marketing Pakistan’s efforts for regional peace and stability in the world. These efforts include Pakistan’s contributions to Quadrilateral, multilateral forums, Islamabad‘s sacrifices in counter terrorism, ensuring western security in form of anti-Al Qaeda efforts, keeping peace in conflict zones in form of peace keeping role in various parts of the world including Africa.
At time when the US has demonized Islamabad and glorified India, Pakistan will want Beijing help in recognizing and marketing Pakistan’s efforts for regional peace and stability in the world
Clearly with Chinese help, Pakistan seeks to stabilize its economy by developing its free trade zones, broadening its skewed exporting products, linking its economy with China’s, giving preferential treatment to its goods and services through generous FTA & PTA regimes. Pakistan would also like to supplement its efforts in stabilizing the country against foreign sponsored proxy war to lay ground for Chinese private investment.
With growing Indo-American convergence against CPEC, Pakistan expects from 19th Congress to stand by as strategic partner in the face of any potential hostile US or Indian intent. The context is even more clear after US statement of CPEC passing thorugh “disputed territory”.
Read more: Prime Minister all set for trip to Beijing: CPEC is flagship…
Chinese’s Active Role in World Affairs?
Efforts will be expedited to invest more in basic infrastructure of developing countries to lay ground for economic growth of these countries and create a win-win situations
Islamabad also expects China to play a more assertive role at the world stage including conflict resolutions and in active theatres like Afghanistan, Syria and Iraq. It also expects from China to help check expending hostile Indian designs in Indian Ocean, in South-West Asia and Far East. Islamabad expects more robust Chinese role in helping to end global recession and check the US in its efforts against globalization of goods, services and labor.
It expects new Chinese resolve to work for a new rule- based UN and other forums so as to make them more inclusive bodies instead of functioning as relics of the post-Second World War geo-political order envisaged and led by the US.
Pakistan expects a completion of Euro-Asia pivot- a new realignment of regional heavy weights from Russian to Pakistan and Middle East led by rising China.
Jan Achakzai is a geopolitical analyst, a party leader in the ruling PML-N party, and advisor to Balochistan Government on media and strategic communication. He remained associated BBC World Service in London covering South and West Asia. The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Global Village Space’s editorial policy.