Kareem Baksh Sohrabi was in Jannat Bazaar, a bustling hub in the coastal region of Gwadar, Pakistan, when the rain started pouring down on February 27. Seeking shelter from the downpour, he took refuge in a nearby shop, hoping the rain would soon pass. But it didn’t. It kept raining relentlessly, and soon, the entire … Read more
Through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), China has sought to play a leading role in assisting developing countries to achieve their development goals by helping them bridge their infrastructure gaps, which is estimated at $1.5 trillion. However, to date, the BRI has seen mixed results. On the one hand, it has stimulated economic growth; … Read more
The flare-up of the Israel-Palestine conflict following the attacks on October 7 has triggered geopolitical tremors in the Middle East. While Israel and Hamas have agreed to a four-day “pause” in fighting and the partial release of hostages, the Israeli government has vowed that fighting will resume. Amid the current fog of war, where the … Read more
Advertisement On October 17 and 18, leaders, delegations and representatives from more than 130 countries gathered in Beijing for the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, also marking the 10th anniversary of President Xi Jinping’s ambitious global infrastructure and energy initiative. Among the invited was a Taliban delegation from Afghanistan led by acting … Read more
Advertisement On Sunday, militants assaulted a Chinese convoy near the vital southwestern port of Gwadar, Pakistan, while it was transporting a group of Chinese nationals to a development project, according to the military and China’s embassy in Pakistan. The Pak-China Technical Institute, a court complex, and other government offices are located in the region where … Read more
Advertisement On July 12, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved a bailout package worth $3 billion for Pakistan. The first half of this year brimmed over with apprehensions, and predictions of Pakistan defaulting on its debt. While the IMF deal has ensured that Pakistan avoids default, at least for the time being, it unleashed a … Read more
Advertisement The Diplomat author Mercy Kuo regularly engages subject-matter experts, policy practitioners, and strategic thinkers across the globe for their diverse insights into U.S. Asia policy. This conversation with Claudia Chia – an independent researcher and former research analyst at the Institute of South Asia Studies at the National University of Singapore ̶ is the … Read more
Advertisement China and Pakistan maintain a strong relationship that is credited as a threshold alliance. Established in May 1951, diplomatic ties between the two neighboring states has transformed into a strong friendship and partnership encompassing various areas of cooperation. Both sides, adhering to the norms of sovereignty, formed a strong bond as they sought to … Read more
Advertisement China’s newly appointed foreign minister, Qin Gang, made his first visit to Pakistan on May 6 and 7. In a joint press meeting in Pakistan with Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Qin stated that stability was a prerequisite for development. As Pakistan’s good neighbor, friend, and partner, he said, China advised political forces withing … Read more
In this photo released by Pakistan’s President office, visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang meets with Pakistani President Arif Alvi, in Islamabad, Pakistan, Friday, May 5, 2023. Credit: Pakistan President Office via AP Advertisement The Pakistani president on Friday assured Beijing’s top diplomat that his country will boost security for all Chinese nationals working on … Read more