BEIJING: The strategic significance of the China-Pakistan-Bangladesh relationship is reflected in multiple dimensions such as geopolitics, economic cooperation, security and stability and global governance. Its core value lies in reshaping the development pattern of South Asia and even the global South through regional cooperation.
These views were expressed by Prof. Cheng Xizhong, Senior Research Fellow at the Charhar Institute in a statement here on Wednesday.
He said that for a long time, the regional power has attempted to dominate South Asian affairs and seek hegemony in the region. The establishment of the trilateral cooperation mechanism among China, Pakistan and Bangladesh is conducive to breaking this scenario. The construction of the three-country economic corridor and their economic and security cooperation are conducive to forming strategic constraints on the regional power.
By establishing strategic cooperation among China, Pakistan and Bangladesh, a dual pivot strategic layout can be established in South Asia. The linkage between Gwadar Port in Pakistan and Chittagong Port in Bangladesh can reduce over-reliance on traditional shipping routes, he added.
Prof Cheng believed that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, as the flagship project of the Belt and Road Initiative, can be extended to Bangladesh and other countries in the future, thus becoming a multi-national economic corridor. The construction of the China-Pakistan-Bangladesh-Myanmar Economic Corridor, as well as the development of industrial parks and logistics networks, is conducive to promoting the closed-loop of resources-manufacturing-markets, thereby reducing external dependence and achieving sustainable economic development.
Recently, the relationship between Pakistan and Bangladesh has significantly improved, with the resumption of direct trade, military exchanges and high-level dialogues. The cooperation among the three countries in areas such as counter-terrorism and disaster management is groundbreaking. In addition, Pakistan has cooperated with China to build many water conservancy projects, which can enhance Pakistan’s autonomy in water resources and reduce the security risks posed by the regional power claiming to permanently cut off water sources, he added.
He said that the three countries emphasize the principle of equality and mutual benefit, and this non-antagonistic multilateralism provides a cooperation paradigm for countries in the global South. For example, collaboration in areas such as climate change and digital technology can serve as a reference for multilateral cooperation in other regions.
As important members of the global South, China, Pakistan, and Bangladesh engage in cooperation, which will help to enhance the voice of developing countries in climate negotiations, economic governance and other fields. For example, the three countries can jointly propose issues of common concern to developing countries and promote the adjustment of international rules in a more just and reasonable direction, he added.
The strategic significance of China-Pakistan-Bangladesh relations far exceeds the trilateral framework. In essence, it represents a collective action by Global South countries to pursue strategic autonomy amid the profound change unseen in a century. Through economic complementarity, security collaboration and governance innovation, the three countries not only inject momentum for stability and development into South Asia, but also set a paradigm of non-antagonistic multilateralism on the international stage. Despite facing external pressures, the deepening of trilateral cooperation will offer new options for regional and even global governance, he said. (APP)
