China to counter-balance US influence in Asia: Analyst
Press TV has conducted an interview with Naveed Ahmed, an investigative journalist in Islamabad, to ask for his take on Chinese President Xi Jinping’s recent visit to Pakistan.
The following is a rough transcription of the interview.
Press TV: Naveed Ahmad, we ended this piece of news with ‘because of US pressure to abandon the pipeline project.’ So based on that notion, do you think that this was China’s way of making sure that Pakistan stays within its sphere and not the US?
Ahmed: well, China is trying to make a very bold political statement in the region without intervening in Pakistan’s domestic affairs. China has tried to motivate Pakistan, not only to make more investment and develop infrastructure on the mouth of Arabian Sea in Gwadar, but also linking Iran, Afghanistan, and Central Asia with Pakistan, integrating Pakistan in the region and this is a very bold step, an this had foreign policy implications as well. And the news of president’s visit was very well covered by the western media, particularly Americans. So there is obviously a connotation or understanding within the United States that China is trying to become a counter-balance to United States and Indian influence in the region.
Press TV: And if you were to look at the broader picture, do you think that this would open up a new phase and chapter that pretty much was non-existent between Pakistan and China.
Ahmed: Well definitely. Pakistan and China have been talking about various processes but most of the discussions were centered around nuclear cooperation, and the IAEA safeguards, and military cooperation. But now the trajectory has been dominated by economic cooperation and this is where Pakistan was lacking and that is where Pakistan is anchoring its future plans for success. Re-establishing itself as a player in the economy and as a state which has all the logistical possibilities of linking one country to another and become a hub of energy, and of course goods transportation from the (Persian) Gulf all the way up to Beijing, Xinjiang, and Central Asia.
MTM/KA
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