Pakistani Prime Minister: China's help is unique, repairing Pakistan-US relations cannot be at the expense of damaging Pakistan-China relations
2024-08-07
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[Global Times special correspondent in Pakistan Cheng Shijie] According to Pakistan's Dawn newspaper on the 5th, Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif said at a press conference last Sunday that China has provided Pakistan with unique help that no other country can do. Shahbaz also said that Pakistan is willing to resume constructive diplomatic engagement with the United States to gradually repair relations between the two countries, but the premise is that it cannot be at the cost of damaging Pakistan-China relations.
In his speech, Shahbaz said that China and Pakistan have cooperated to build the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, and a series of cooperation between the two sides has brought opportunities to Pakistan. Pakistan's Minister of Planning, Development and Special Missions Iqbal also said last week that the transportation and energy infrastructure built by China has provided opportunities for Pakistan's industrialization and made the country an attractive investment destination. In addition, after Pakistan agreed to accept a series of conditions such as the supervision of the International Monetary Fund and strengthening the rational arrangement of government spending, China, Saudi Arabia and other countries have repeatedly provided debt extension arrangements to the Pakistani government.
Shahbaz stressed that the close friendship between Pakistan and China has nothing to do with any political interests. He also stressed that gradually restoring diplomatic relations with the United States is necessary for Pakistan and in line with Pakistan's national interests. But Pakistan will ensure that this will not affect its relations with China. "Similarly, friendship with China will not be at the expense of the United States, because both countries are important to us." Shahbaz said that he believes that any goal that China can help Pakistan achieve is something that the United States cannot do.
Last month, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Donald Lew announced that a $1.01 billion diplomatic budget was submitted to Congress to "compete with China, counter Russian and Chinese disinformation, and prevent terrorist organizations from threatening U.S. security" in South Asia and Central Asia. 10%, or $101 million, will be provided to Pakistan to "strengthen democracy, combat terrorism, and stabilize the country's economy." When questioned at a congressional hearing, Lew said that Washington needs to balance China's "strong and growing influence" in Pakistan and will gradually replace China's investment in Pakistan. Lew also told members of Congress, "In terms of investment (in Pakistan), China is the past, and we are the future."
Shahbaz's statement further confirmed the statement made by Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesman Baloch on July 25. When asked about Pakistan's efforts to restore diplomatic relations with the United States, Baloch said that Pakistan does not believe in the "zero-sum game" of diplomatic relations and will develop Pakistan-US relations on the basis of sovereign equality, mutual respect and non-interference in each other's internal affairs. Pakistan will not sacrifice its relations with China for the sake of the United States.
