After investing upwards of USD 48 billion in 52 China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects, Beijing has decided to do hard talk with visiting Pakistan military leadership this month and warned that there would be serious repercussions on “milk and honey” ties if Islamabad failed to prevent attacks Chinese nationals and interests in the Islamic Republic. This blunt message was delivered to Pak ISI Chief Lt. Gen. Nadeem Anjum in Beijing earlier this month and has been underscored during the on-going visit of Army Chief Gen Asim Munir to China.
File photo of “Haq Do Tehreek”demonstration against CPEC in Gwadar, Balochistan in December 2022.With the security situation worsening in Pakistan, coupled with political and economic chaos, there have been regular terror attacks on Chinese nationals and CPEC projects particularly in Gilgit-Baltistan in Occupied Kashmir as well as Balochistan. Despite China investing huge amounts of US dollars into CPEC and holding Islamabad’s hands during on-going political and economic crisis, there is a growing apprehension among the Chinese leadership including President Xi Jinping that repeated security reversals and consequent delays in CPEC projects execution will not only impact the image of much flaunted global Belt Road Initiatives (BRI) but also portray Beijing leadership in negative light. Of late the Chinese propaganda media has raised concerns over security of CPEC projects and lack of fiscal discipline as well as gobbling of huge funds of state-run Chinese firms at the Pakistan end. The situation has turned grim with Chinese leadership mulling over the hard option of deploying PLA contingents in Balochistan and Gilgit-Baltistan as a last resort to ensure security of Chinese nationals and CPEC projects. Original Source
