| The democratic transition in Pakistan in 2008 has provoked to influence the relationship of Pakistan and China.It has created many opportunities and also lead to many challenges in their bilateral relations.After the restoration of democratic civilian government in Pakistan Islamabad ties with Beijing got strengthen in many fields and expanded in various fields including political,economic affairs,military and cultural spheres.The two neighboring countries Pakistan and China despite of their diverse cultures,religions,languages,norms and traditions since the beginning enjoying a strong partnership at local,regional and international level.Both states are enjoying strong,mutually beneficial and brotherly relations.Their relationship is long-standing which has run closer than many formal alliances.This new era emerged had created many opportunities for both the states but like past in the study period also provided more opportunities to Pakistan,including CPEC,huge economic aid,Gwadar port operationalization,dams constructions,power generation houses establishment,support in different international organization including UN security council,help in gaining full membership in Shanghai cooperation organization and providing to arms and other military equipments.These things also helped Pakistan to minimize her depend over US and overcome US pressure.Likewise,the regional security environment created by US aimed war on terror,internal and external situations of both the countries and regional power dynamics also created many challenges in their relations.Over the course of time,many changes including terrorism,political instability in Pakistan,US and Indian propaganda and counter balance strategies,US and India support of terrorists active in Pakistan to target Chinese and her interests and trade imbalance were also faced by the two countries.But through smooth mutual cooperation and understanding both the states have successfully managed these challenges and did not let them to effected their interests.China had a cordial relations with military rule government in Pakistan due to continuation in policies,but it has been witnessed that after political transition in Pakistan both states have more deepened their relations in all areas.To understand the whole phenomena this study has been divided into 5 chapters based on the aspects containing the theme.The first chapter titled “Introduction” briefly introducing the issue concerned,showing the research gap as well as the importance of this study.It also discusses the determined objective of the study,the research question it striving to answer in this thesis,main argument,the research methodology and the Literature Review in which briefly discuss the available literature on this problem.The second chapter titled “An Overview of Pakistan China Relations(2008-2019)” briefly explored the bilateral political,economic and strategic relations and cooperation from the period 2008 to 2019.Domestically political transition happen in Pakistan and also the regional and internal environment as well as international crisis essentially influenced their relations but during the study period both the states have succeeded to strengthen more their political,economic,and defense coordination and develop better understanding and working partnership towards regional and international issues.It also briefly overviewed the Pak-China relations and analyzed the matter that how they enhance their partnership despite many challenges.It also provides details about the Pak-China bilateral ties,Chinese assistance,investment in Pakistan and some mega projects they have started or completed in this period.The third chapter titled “Opportunities of Pakistan-China Relations” exploring and analyze the opportunities created in the study period.Pakistan and China relations had never worse since the beginning.They always stand with each other in time of need both domestically and internationally.Both get mutually beneficial political,economic and strategic opportunities which they have fully utilized.China’s economic cooperation with Pakistan and huge investment in shape of CPEC is also driven by Beijing’s aspiration to achieve regional connectivity in order to find new markets for boosting Beijing’s economic growth and development.Successful economic partnership with Pakistan,has also enhanced China’s profile as a promoter of win-win cooperation and a responsible stakeholder in the international affairs which is playing an important responsibilities and making greater contributions to the regional economic growth and stabilization.It also discusses the ongoing project of China in Pakistan and its prospects for both the states,which could change the fate of Pakistan to provide a route for trade and prosperity in the region.It also discusses that how Pakistan and China deepen their strategic partnership after 2008.The fourth chapter titled “Challenges to Pakistan-China Relations” briefly explored and analyzed the challenges which both the countries are facing.They faced both internal and external challenges.Despite the strong partnership which has provided for countless prospects for both the states,they also faced many challenges in the study period due internal situations and external dynamics.Hence,the most important challenges to Pak-Sino relations are terrorism,drug-trafficking,Baluchistan insurgency,political instability,trade balance,militant groups supported by US and Indian to destabilize Pakistan-China relations and the power politics of US and India in the region.The US amid war on terror and US withdrawal from Afghanistan also created many underlying challenges for both China and Pakistan.The issues and challenges are discussed in detail and analyzed how creating problems for both states relations.Moreover,it also discusses the policies of Pakistan and China categorically in response to the US-India power politics in the region.The fifth chapter titled “Conclusion and recommendations” has concluded the whole discussion done in the respective chapter and also presenting some concrete recommendations,that how both the states can improve their relations to make it more beneficial and especially how they can curb the challenges faced during the study period. |
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