One statement by Pakistan and another by China, is typically a case of keeping the rest of the world guessing.
The Chinese trying to build a Naval Base at Gwadar is not news, it has been in the making for a very long time.
A substantial portion of Chinese crude imports flow thru the Malacca Strait and the Chinese are circumspect that this movement will be challenged by US forces in the event of a stand off between the two in the South China.
To overcome this, the Chinese are building a Naval base at Gwadar housing a large task force of the PLA Navy to oversee the Persian Gulf. They simultaneously will be building a pipeline from Gwadar, traversing the whole of Pakistan, then thru the Karakoram ranges moving into China thru Xinjiang. That will not only reduce the cost of transportation but secure Chinese energy imports. The Chinese are further dovetailing this by extending the Karakoram Highway till Gwadar already linking Khasghar in Xinjiang to Islamabad.
This article of souring relations between China and Pakistan is erroneous.
Re: It is to keep the world guessing
by trader on May 27, 2011 06:03 PM
China is supporting beggar pakistana and pumping villions into pakistan,giving it readymade missiles,readymade nukes only to counter India!!china knows that India is buch better than China not only in terms of spirituality but in every aspect!!As India is catching up China very fast although it started Reform process 12 years later than China,China is investing in countries like Pakistan and to lesser extent in Sr Lanka,Nepal,Bangladesh,myanmar Maldives etc!!India needs to realise and call Spade a spade and act on destabikising the China-Pak relations!!also it should open channesl with Chinese taipei and japan,Russi - as it is not in love with china's growth!!Enemy should be given back in his own terms and he will understand better than just pronouncing "panchsheel"!!
Re: Re: It is to keep the world guessing
by IMTIAZ KHAN on May 27, 2011 06:50 PM
Trader : The predominant Asian trait is to have plenty of patience and tire out the adversary. If China has the trait, then as Asians we too have it in aplenty.
We will eventually give back the Chinese, but it seems the GOI's strategic thought is to wait till an implosion grips China.
Unofficial estimates say that there are more than 100,000 anti govt protests in China each year. A recent article in The Times of India by a security analyst says China spends more on internal security than on defence.
Tibet and Xinjiang remain disturbed. Both these provinces constitute 35% of Chinese land mass but only 5% of the population. Their separation from China would create a huge buffer them and us - which is what we want. It will also ensure Chinese do not control most big rivers which begin in Tibet and flow into India. The Karakoram Highway will become irrelevant with the Karakoram highlands going away. Couple this with the separation of Baluchistan - Gwadar gone and the highway impotent.
I think we should wait a while before the GOI acts, diplomatic gains cannot happen overnight. Moreover, we dont want a hot conflict with China and the Tibetans are poor fighters - so it would be futile to arm them. Effectively the GOI is bidding time for an opportunity to strike.
Re: It is to keep the world guessing
by vikas sethi on May 27, 2011 05:53 PM
you are right Imtiaz. Either china is not openly accepting the offer or has not yet made up its mind on operating the Naval base as it puts it in direct confrontation with US that has a presence both in Pak & Afghan.
New York times is a pro govt paper and is probably fingering on behalf of the govt hoping something more on this can be revealed by Paki or Chinese officials.
China is not prone to empty bluster like its all weather friend Pak which in fact is bluster and only bluster.
Re: Re: It is to keep the world guessing
by IMTIAZ KHAN on May 27, 2011 06:52 PM
Vikas : It is difficult to believe the Chinese have not made up their mind. They are head strong and masters of deceit. They will play their cards and we our own. This cat and mouse game of international powerplay will go on. For results : possibly one has to wait a lifetime.
Re: pakis are untrustable
by Ramesh M on May 27, 2011 10:09 PM
Its not a nation anymore. Its a territory being ruled by so called governement,but the laws of the land are dictated by lawless groups ..each of which has a terrorist as a head.
pakistan is divided midway by river sindhu. The people of both sides are against each other. In case it is divided, it will be difficult for china to take side.
Re: Which side of pak, china will make friendship
by rajendra K on May 27, 2011 09:08 PM
Pakistanis Do not understnd that. They think Religion makes nation. We had problem from that side sindhu since time of Rigveda. When Bhrugus lost the war they Moved into that side of Sindhu river.
Re: Pak-China souring?
by abdul sattar on May 27, 2011 04:20 PM
This may be more serious that what we think. China may have to decided to keep its involvement secret for other reasons.
Re: Beggars
by sparx sparx on May 27, 2011 05:30 PM
ex Prime Minister on India Deve Gowda while ruling said in the parliament that he was going to foreign countries with a begging bowl, lol
