China Declines Pakistan’s Belt and Road Initiative Project Proposals
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According to a recent report by Nikkei Asia published on October 2, China has reportedly turned down new project proposals from Pakistan within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). This decision appears to be based on China’s growing concerns over security and political instability in the region.
Pakistan had put forth a range of project proposals covering areas such as energy, climate change, electricity transmission, and tourism, seeking further investments in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a major $50 billion initiative under the BRI. However, China has reportedly declined these proposals.
One notable project that was rejected involved linking the Gwadar port to Karachi’s electricity grid. Additionally, China insisted that Pakistan retain a 300-megawatt coal-fired power plant in Gwadar, despite Pakistan’s intention to relocate it.
The political instability in Pakistan, exemplified by the removal of Prime Minister Imran Khan in April 2022, as well as attacks on Chinese interests, appears to have played a pivotal role in China’s decision. James M. Dorsey, an expert from the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, emphasized the broader implications of these developments. He highlighted recent attacks on Chinese interests in Pakistan and suggested that Beijing perceives its assets and personnel in the region to be at risk.
In August, a convoy of Chinese engineers in Gwadar was targeted by the Baloch Liberation Army’s Majeed Brigade, resulting in casualties, including Chinese nationals. Subsequently, the BLA issued a direct warning to China, giving a 90-day ultimatum to withdraw from Balochistan or face intensified attacks on its key interests in the region.
Given these ongoing threats and the explicit warning from the BLA, China’s reluctance to invest further in CPEC projects seems to stem from its concerns about the security of its assets and personnel in the region.
