China proposes anti-terrorism cooperation initiative

ISLAMABAD: China has proposed a number of proposals which would help in increasing economic cooperation and enhancing security cooperation as part of the renewed interest in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, or the CPEC. Among these proposals is an anti-terrorism cooperation agreement as well as the establishment of a joint security company.

Government sources said the move came as Beijing reasserted its commitment to reviving the multibillion-dollar corridor project. Outlined in the plan is to absorb most of the near two dozen remaining projects from Phase-I into the newly announced Phase-II of CPEC relating to sectors like railways, road infrastructure, LNG terminals, copper mining, hydropower and special economic zones.

The two leaders of the countries said during recent meetings in Beijing between their heads of government that they held a “zero tolerance” policy toward terrorism and would further strengthen cooperation in countering terrorism through comprehensive strategies.

China has offered to establish a joint company that will take care of its citizens presently working in Pakistan and those intending to participate in activities concerning CPEC Phase-II. The other proposals on the table are on the mobile security equipment project and development of ballistic protective vehicles.

China reiterated its intent to cooperate in such areas as infrastructure, energy, minerals, industrial development, science and technology, safety and security, and digital economy initiatives. It also presents a mechanism for cooperation that ensures the smoothening of the implementation of CPEC projects during Phase-II through the formation of the CPEC joint commission.

A Pakistani delegation will travel to Beijing next week to attend the Global Transport Forum on September 26 and discuss problems hampering the near $7 billion Mainline-I project.

CPEC Phase-II features in its priority work the completion of Mainline-I, Karachi Circular Railway, the Thakot-Raikot section of the Karakoram Highway, and providing technical support for the New Gwadar International Airport, besides further development of the Gwadar port and free zone.

Energy-wise, China has tabled proposals related to the GEIP LNG Terminal project, upgrades for the National Refinery, the Suki Kinari hydropower project, and the Siyadiq copper project.

For industrial development, the proposed activities under this agreement are, among others, expansion of Dhabeji Special Economic Zone and the Rashakai Industrial Park Project. On the agenda of this meeting would come the framework agreement on industrial cooperation between the two countries. Other activities proposed under this agreement include the construction of the China-Pakistan Earth Science Research project, and other smaller social projects that are funded by grants.