China signals rising interest in Pak ahead of Wen's visit
BEIJING: Ahead of premier Wen Jiabao's visit to India and Pakistan, the Chinese government has signaled its desire to expand China-Pakistan trade as part of a plan to bring peace to its restive Xinjiang region. It has launched the first-ever air cargo service between the troubled city of Kashgar in Xinjiang and Islamabad.
The move which took place last week, is significant because China wants to make the historical city of Kashgar, located near the borders of Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan and India, as an international air logistics base.
It will also solve the problem of trade flows shrinking during winter months when China-Pakistan road link is blocked by snow. At the political level, the Communist leaders want trade inflows from Pakistan to help stabilize the Xinjiang province, where Muslim Uighurs are involved in a separatist movement.
On November 1, the China Southern Airlines launched a passenger service between Xinjiang's provincial capital of Urumqi and Islamabad three times a week.
China has already agreed to build two highways in Pakistan's northernmost region of Gilgit-Baltistan contributing 85% of the cost of $524 million. Islamabad is also trying to obtain Beijing's support for rail linkages across the Chinese border besides connecting Torkhum in Pakistan with Jalalabad in Afghanistan.
Another interesting move is Beijing's offer to 36 new development projects costing $13 million for the flood ravaged areas of Pakistan, some of which are troubled by Taliban related terrorists and fall across the border from China.
China and Pakistan have established a joint investment company with a paid-up capital of $200 million for direct investment and joint ventures.
China Southern airlines is also offering free night accommodation in Urumqi to transit passengers flying from Shanghai, Wuhan and Chendu in order to connect people from other parts of China.
The move which took place last week, is significant because China wants to make the historical city of Kashgar, located near the borders of Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan and India, as an international air logistics base.
It will also solve the problem of trade flows shrinking during winter months when China-Pakistan road link is blocked by snow. At the political level, the Communist leaders want trade inflows from Pakistan to help stabilize the Xinjiang province, where Muslim Uighurs are involved in a separatist movement.
On November 1, the China Southern Airlines launched a passenger service between Xinjiang's provincial capital of Urumqi and Islamabad three times a week.
China has already agreed to build two highways in Pakistan's northernmost region of Gilgit-Baltistan contributing 85% of the cost of $524 million. Islamabad is also trying to obtain Beijing's support for rail linkages across the Chinese border besides connecting Torkhum in Pakistan with Jalalabad in Afghanistan.
Another interesting move is Beijing's offer to 36 new development projects costing $13 million for the flood ravaged areas of Pakistan, some of which are troubled by Taliban related terrorists and fall across the border from China.
China and Pakistan have established a joint investment company with a paid-up capital of $200 million for direct investment and joint ventures.
China Southern airlines is also offering free night accommodation in Urumqi to transit passengers flying from Shanghai, Wuhan and Chendu in order to connect people from other parts of China.
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