China is emerging economic power and is heading fast toward becoming the largest economy in the world, outperforming the United States. And more importantly, the Chinese leadership wants to set up strong economic relations with Pakistan and the Chinese businessmen are willing to start joint ventures to boost economic activities not only in the two countries, but also in the region. China has recently signed $20 billion trade and investment agreements with India despite strained relations between the two counties on recent border clashes and political disagreement on various international issues. On another note, the Chinese president, who was due to visit Islamabad, cancelled his visit apparently due to security reasons, but the political pundits blame the sit-ins by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan and Pakistan Awami Tehreek chief Dr Tahirul Qadri for the cancellation of his visit. The economic experts are terming it a great loss for the national economy.
However, Cao Zhicong, head of the Chinese delegation currently visiting Pakistan, has said that the private sector in Pakistan and China should avail the opportunity of friendly investment climate in Pakistan and start joint ventures. Addressing at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry, he said that the changing scenario of the world economy has created new opportunities for the businessmen of Pakistan and China to cooperate in the field of trade and investment. He said that Pakistan is the best country for foreign investment and many Chinese businessmen are already planning to invest in Pakistan.
It is obvious that the Pakistan has always supported China on various international forums and both the countries share the same point of view on various world issues, but economic relations are always important than political relations. China can avail strategic location of Pakistan for trade activities by enhancing investment in the country and speeding up the construction of economic corridor from Kashgar to Gwadar. Pakistan is a land of opportunities with skilled and cheap workforce and China can avail it and exploit it in the benefit of the two nations.
