Sino – US Confrontation and Pakistan

The Global Chess board is replete with multiple moves, where each move effects the fate of the other. After the end of the Cold War, Francis Fukuyama declared the victory of the western liberal order and emphasized that the USA would rule the roost in the twenty-first century. Years later, a new player emerged that inadvertently challenged the USA’s hegemony . The new player is China, which in terms of economics, military, and technology has started super ceding the USA. The two players have been at daggers drawn for a few years now, with no sign of improvement in relations. However, the move of each player develops opportunities and threats for the rest of the players, and Pakistan is one of them.

Surprisingly, , USA is applying protectionism policies, whereas China has started following the economic liberalism model. Recently, Chuck Schemer, the senate majority leader, said that he would call a vote on a $52 billion package of subsidies to USA chip makers . Further, he emphasized the need to put tariffs and non tariff barriers on the Chinese semi conductors so that he could support the local American industry. While China wants to promote its semi conductors through out the world without any differences . The developing countries like India and Mexico acted prudently and balanced their relations between the two major players, ,seeking benefit in terms of technology transfer. Pakistan, ,on the other hand , is seen as putting her weight behind the Chinese bloc.

However, the temperature has started rising after Chinese President XI Jingping said that America is planning “containment, encirclement, and suppression of China ” Adding to this, he said that his country must have “the courage to fight. Both statements somehow reaffirm the claim of Noam Chomsky, who calls the Sino-U.S. tensions the revival of the New Cold War. Moreover, a USA air force official said that ” US might go to war with China by 2025,” which seems like horrible news for the world. God Forbids! If both countries enter into war in the next two years, then what would be Pakistan’s strategy and policy to deal with the dilemma? How will Pakistan survive economically and strategically when pressured by both major powers?

Currently, the role of China in the Middle East and East Africa has increased tensions with the USA. China played a leading role in thawing the tensions between the two arch rivals, ,Iran and Saudi Arabia, which the US failed to do. It seems like the geopolitical environment is progressing towards a war of allies and a war for allies. As USA frowned his eyebrows when China intervened in Taiwan’s foreign policy decisions. The ammunition supplied to Taiwan by the USA shows its belligerent attitude towards China. In this Game of Thrones , it is very hard for the developing countries to choose an ally because the developing countries need the helping hand of China for their economic interests and the USA for their strategic interests. India opted for a very balanced approach, exporting around $100
products to China without offending the USA and seek military benefits from the USA without disturbing its diplomatic relations with China. Pakistan seems like a threatened child in this geopolitical context, where it sees China as its only savior.

Clearly, if we trace the plans of China, then it is clear that China wants to beef up its exports, ,develop strategic locations at the homes of its allies, and stretch its Belt and Road Initiative across the world. It wants to emphasize the importance of String of Pearls and wants all players to join her. while the USA wants to uphold its hegemonic status and its allies confidence. China and the USA are standing vs-a-vis each other, but the developing countries must be farsighted to choose allies because making a Hobson’s choice will undermine their interests.

Unfortunately, Pakistan followed an overly ambitious foreign policy, and the preponderant rule of the security establishment in our politics has impoverished it economically. The United States invited Pakistan to attend the Democracy Summit, but Pakistan declined the invitation as it felt that its actions might offend China and Turkiye. Pakistan must remember that states always prefer their national interests over one’s liking or disliking. Last year , Pakistan was not invited to the G-20 Summit while India was present in China, so China did not bother much of Pakistan’s presence. Pakistan should never forget that it has a very heavy reliance on the USA, for it needs USA assistance to seek IMF and World Bank loans. Moreover , Pakistan is battling a dreadful wave of terrorism, and the USA has been its strongest ally. As China is a strategic partner but it cannot be substituted for other relatives .Further ties with China may be indispensable, but those with the USA are necessary .