Since assuming power, the head of state, has made four visits to the Peoples Republic of China. Though he hasn been offered a blank cheque to fix Pakistans problems, China has proved to be the all weather friend in terms of development projects, it has invested in.
President Zardari and an entourage of cabinet ministers departed for Beijing for what is likely to be the most important of his state tours so far. The high profile tour is expected to last six days, the President is expected to meet his Chinese counterpart President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabo. In addition, meetings with regional policy makers and corporations are lined up.
The highlight of President Zardaris visit is the possible finalization of Pakistan-China nuclear deal. The Big Red has reiterated its resolve to install another two nuclear reactors at Chashma. "There is also a possibility of agreement on another two to four nuclear reactors" said one source commenting on the trip.
Pressure from US and India to scuttle the nuclear deal has been building on both countries. India has sent its National Security Adviser Shiv Shankar Menon-ahead of Pakistans visit- to plead Indias case against the deal. While Pakistan has few options to satisfy its hunger for energy, analysts see Chinas initiative as a glimmer of its international clout.
Gauging Chinas rise on the global level some fifteen years ago, the foreign office in Islamabad understood that it had to come up with a policy of "keeping China engaged in Pakistan". A well calculated decision of "preference to Chinese companies on all major projects" was decided, according to Rasul Baksh Rais, professor at LUMS.
Mind you, Chinese policymakers make no qualms about pointing out the flaws of development through aid. Their model is one of investment. Recent years have seen Chinese companies venturing as far as Africa in their hunger for resources, but FDI to Pakistan has shrank by $2.9 million in July-May FY10.
Apart from nuclear power, a topic of cooperation is likely to be water and irrigation, de-silting of the aging dams, improvements in the canal network. In addition, financing options for Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline and development of road and railway infrastructure may be areas of interest for the neighbours.
Why is Pakistani media unmoved about this visit?
"Public diplomacy with China has been deliberately kept hush hush in this regime" said Talat Hussain, executive director Aaj News. There was little to no mention of the trip in local print and electronic media on the first day of the visit.
Perhaps media in Pakistan is too focussed in foreign affairs on the West. The global centre of gravity is shifting east, and Pakistans natural economic integration with regional countries will be beneficial for the country. Therefore a keener interest from media outlets in Pakistan should naturally follow.
Its strategic location has made Pakistan a theatre for the power struggle between US and China. "It is unlikely that either will elbow the other out, the future is going to be one of cooperation and competition," commented Rasul Baksh Rais, a political analyst.
How the dynamics will play out, only time will tell. At this point, one hopes that the Presidential visit bears fruit.
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