ISLAMABAD: Wang Shengjie, China’s political secretary to Pakistan, has expressed grave concerns about the future of the $62 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), citing Pakistan’s “false rhetoric” and inadequate security measures. In an interview with The Guardian, Wang highlighted growing tensions over unmet expectations and security risks jeopardizing China’s flagship Belt and Road Initiative project.
“Without improved security, who would risk working in such an environment? Anti-Chinese sentiment in Gwadar and Balochistan is a major obstacle,” Wang said, accusing Pakistan of creating unrealistic expectations about CPEC’s transformative potential.
CPEC, launched in 2015, was envisioned to transform Pakistan through infrastructure megaprojects, including the Gwadar deepwater port, highways, railways, and power plants. However, delays, local discontent, and violent attacks targeting Chinese nationals have severely strained relations.
The newly inaugurated $230 million Gwadar airport, hailed by Pakistan as a symbol of bilateral cooperation, reflects these tensions. Chinese officials were notably absent from the event, and the city remains under heavy security lockdowns. Gwadar’s local communities, once promised economic transformation, now criticize restricted access to the sea, economic exclusion, and heightened security measures likened to a “prison.”
Violent attacks, including a suicide bombing in Karachi that killed two Chinese citizens, have prompted China to withdraw many workers and demand stricter security measures. Additionally, militant groups like the Balochistan Liberation Army continue to target CPEC infrastructure, exacerbating the challenges.
Amid speculation about the strategic military use of Gwadar’s port and airport, Pakistani officials deny Beijing’s alleged demands to station Chinese troops and naval assets in the region. However, sources indicate growing Chinese pressure amid frustrations over delays and escalating security risks.
Despite these setbacks, analysts believe China will persevere due to Pakistan’s strategic significance in its geopolitical agenda. “The Chinese have invested heavily in Pakistan and cannot afford for it to fail,” said Asfandyar Mir of the United States Institute of Peace.
CPEC’s future now hinges on resolving security concerns, fulfilling local promises, and fostering trust between the two partners to realize the project’s full potential.
