The politics of the China\u2015Pakistan economic corridor

Maham Hameed

doi:10.1057/s41599-018-0115-7

Abstract

China’s presence in the Global South has increased dramatically over the course of a decade. The discourse of mutual benefit and non-intervention has attracted much attention in the developing world, which is now facing the consequences of Western interventions. However, the extent to which Chinese engagement in the developing world stays true to these principles needs to be evaluated in terms of its effects on the political economic structures of the host nations. This study analyses how China and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is interacting with the political and economic realities of Pakistan. Firstly, the study traces the history of regionalism in Pakistan and shows that over the years, the developmental mission of the central state has created deep-seated regionalism in Pakistan. The study shows that CPEC is deepening such cleavages. The regionalist forces have opposed the project in two broad ways: through demanding a greater share in the project or through completely rejecting the interventions. Secondly, the study analyses the lop-sided civil-military relations in Pakistan and concludes that Chinese engagement in Pakistan is leading to the military’s tighter control of civilian and economic matters relating to CPEC.

Highlights

China’s global rise has been presented in sharp contrast to the Western global order
In order to fully understand the implications of the Chinese presence in the third world, in Pakistan, I look at the effects of Chinese engagement on the political economic structure of Pakistan
The study aimed to understand how China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is interacting with the political economic structure of Pakistan

Summary

Introduction

China’s global rise has been presented in sharp contrast to the Western global order. An analysis of Pakistan’s political economic structure, Pakistan’s history of infrastructure development, China’s foreign policy and national interests, and the basis of Pakistan–China friendship is utilized to understand how the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is interacting and is expected to interact with the state structure of Pakistan.

Results

Conclusion