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Business Recorder
2 days ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
China's strategic red line: unwavering support for Pakistan
In a historic and unambiguous declaration, Professor Victor Gao — close associate and advisor of China's paramount leader Deng Xiaoping and Vice President of the Center for China and Globalization (CCG), one of Beijing's most influential think tanks—publicly stated what analysts long assumed but never confirmed: China will always stand with Pakistan, in peace or in war, against any country that threatens its sovereignty and territorial integrity. 'China and Pakistan are all-weather ironclad allies. No one should second-guess this alliance between China and Pakistan. China will always come to Pakistan's help and assistance whenever Pakistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity will be threatened by any country.' This was not a diplomatic flourish. Delivered on an Indian television in the presence of strategic commentators, Gao's statement was a decisive strategic message, one that carries weight not only because of his current position, but also due to his proximity to China's policymaking elite. His language left no ambiguity: the 'any country' referred to could be India, the United States, or any other actor contemplating actions against Pakistan's sovereignty. Gao's declaration came amidst heightened tensions following the Pahalgam terror attack in India, which killed several civilians. China, rather than blindly supporting any narrative, called for a thorough, transparent, and impartial investigation, aligning itself with Pakistan's diplomatic stance. Gao reiterated this position: 'We need to call for impartial and complete and thorough investigation into the background of this attack, before any country should seize this opportunity to use this attack as the trigger for escalation of tensions, or even conflict between India and Pakistan.' He cautioned against unilateral action based on conjecture or politicized assumptions: 'When you talk about terrorist attacks, you may know inside Pakistan, there have been terrorist attacks against Chinese nationals. We actually lost quite a few Chinese nationals inside Pakistan. But we always called for a thorough investigation into what exactly is happening behind the scenes—who was pulling the trigger, who was committing all these atrocities.' Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
The Print
23-07-2025
- Business
- The Print
China's Brahmaputra dam is also a military asset. It raises alarm for India
In contemporary geopolitics, infrastructure has become a strategic language of its own, one that Beijing is speaking fluently. Beyond the spectacle of scale, the Chinese online discourse quickly turned the project into a symbol of strategic ascendancy. India, the downstream neighbour, is cast as anxious and reactive . China, in contrast, is portrayed as visionary and unyielding—a master of its geography and architect of a new regional order. Chinese Premier Li Qiang, on 19 July, presided over the groundbreaking of what is set to become the world's largest hydropower dam , on the so-called 'Yarlung Zangbo', as China refers to the Brahmaputra River. Within hours, Chinese online platforms erupted in celebration. A Weibo hashtag marking the occasion—#Construction begins on lower Yarlung Zangbo Hydropower Project—amassed over 73 million views. Engineering feat or strategic signal? The Medog Hydropower Station is projected to cost $167 billion and boasts a planned capacity of 70 to 81 million kilowatts, roughly triple that of the Three Gorges Dam. Once completed, it is expected to generate 300 billion kilowatt-hours annually. The project will take a decade to build, but its signalling to the region, especially India, is immediate. Hu Xijin, former editor-in-chief of the Global Times, a daily Chinese tabloid, criticised Western media for focusing on India's ecological and geopolitical concerns while ignoring what he called an 'engineering miracle'. For Hu, the dam is not just about electricity; it is also a declaration of China's ability to tame the Himalayas and reshape geography. One Chinese commentator claimed that India's objections stem not from technical concerns, but from its deeply entrenched 'security-first' mindset. New Delhi, the commentator argued, has long prioritised control over collaboration, building its own dams while accusing others of weaponising water. 'India's alarmism,' another wrote, 'comes from its own guilty conscience.' China's dual narrative Officially, Beijing is presenting the dam as a developmental initiative, aimed at energy security, poverty alleviation, regional integration, and transforming Nyingchi into the 'Little Sichuan' or 'Jiangnan of Tibet.' Talk of water weaponisation is being brushed aside as paranoia. Commentators invoke 'non-zero-sum' logic and portray China as a responsible upstream actor. But unofficial voices tell a different story. 'India, which tries to control Pakistan with water cuts, now fears China might do the same,' one commentator quipped. Victor Gao, vice president of the Beijing-based Center for China and Globalization, was even more blunt: 'If India uses rivers as leverage against Pakistan, it should be prepared for reciprocity.' These comparisons are not new. Over a decade ago, Ye Hailin, director of Asian Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, argued that if India expects restraint from China as an upstream power, it should accept the same standard when Pakistan, downstream of India, makes similar demands. A more recent commentary on Baidu put it less diplomatically: 'Just a month ago, before the official exchange of fire between India and Pakistan, India took the initiative, cutting off water at will, then releasing it, showing little regard for the lives of Pakistani civilians. Faced with a neighbour like India, we [China] must abandon any moral restraint. We should move at our own pace, neither seeking to dominate nor to appease. Stand firm, when necessary, fight when required. Otherwise, we risk being the ones who suffer.' Also read: India's 'triple anxiety'—What Chinese media sees in Jaishankar's Beijing visit Water, border, and politics of control On Chinese social media, the discussion turned openly strategic. One user noted a road built inside the dam tunnels, ostensibly for maintenance, that leads directly to Arunachal Pradesh. 'In peacetime, it is for power,' the user wrote. 'In wartime? I do not need to spell it out.' This is infrastructure envisioned not just as an economic backbone, but as a military asset, both shield and sword. This strategic undertone also helps explain Beijing's long-standing refusal to enter a hydrological data-sharing agreement with India. As Hu Suisheng, senior fellow at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, once noted, such cooperation would implicitly acknowledge India's border position—especially over Arunachal Pradesh, which China disputes. Despite the rhetoric of regional uplift and mutual benefit, India's concerns have been routinely dismissed by the Chinese official narrative and online discourse. There has been no consultation, only unilateral action over a transboundary river system that feeds millions downstream. Beneath China's rhetoric of development flows a deeper current, shaped by quiet force and strategic intent. This is not merely the redirection of water but the rewriting of the regional order through determination and power. For New Delhi, this dam raises alarm. For Beijing, this is advantageous on multiple fronts. Cooperation may be the language used, but the headwaters of the Brahmaputra speak of dominance and unilateral action, not dialogue or mutual benefit. Sana Hashmi is a fellow at the Taiwan-Asia Exchange Foundation. She tweets @sanahashmi1. Views are personal. (Edited by Ratan Priya)
Korea Herald
15-07-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
"China's Development, An Opportunity for a Colorful World" International Exchange Week Launched in Zunyi, Guizhou, China
ZUNYI, China, July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- On July 15th, the "China's Development, An Opportunity for a Colorful World" International Exchange Week kicked off in Zunyi, Guizhou, China, with the theme of "High-Level Opening-Up Leads High-Quality Development of Distinctive Industries". Over 200 participants from more than 30 countries, including diplomats, scholars, international influencers, students, and business representatives, gathered at the event to experience the development of Guizhou's distinctive industries. David Blair, Senior Economist and Vice President of the Center for China and Globalization (CCG), noted that a colorful world should embrace broad and locally rooted development models to ensure prosperity reaches all regions and social groups. He emphasized that China has made significant progress in transformation, and with policy support, Zunyi could become a model of achieving a better life through vibrant local productivity and shared prosperity initiatives. Einar Tangen, Senior Fellow at the Taihe Institute and an expert in international politics and finance, highlighted how cultural exchange can drive trade. He pointed out that 10 percent of Guizhou's tourism-driven economic growth comes from cultural industries such as batik, village soccer matches, and Dong Grand Songs. Thai silk arrives in Guizhou via Ninja Van, Uzbek companies use Payme for payments, and Kenyan artisans integrate M-Pesa — all of these are supported by shared tourism data and smart digital development. This exemplifies how mutual learning fosters trade, and how trade contributes to peace. At the event, the Xufang International Media, CICG and the Trade Promotion and Exchange Center of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade together launched the "Chinese Quality Products" Global Promotion Initiative (Zunyi). At the "Chinese Quality Products" Zunyi Exhibition, representatives from local specialty enterprises and products of intangible cultural heritage from Zunyi were showcased, including Meitan Cuiya, Zunyi chili peppers, Moutai, Kweichow Zhen, bamboo weaving, and embroidery. With live streaming on social media platforms, ambassadors and international influencers at the event share the quality products of Zunyi with global audiences.
Express Tribune
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
China, US owe gratitude to Pakistan for foundation of their relations: Victor Gao
Leading Chinese academic Professor and Vice President of the Center for China and Globalization Victor Gao. Photo: File In a recent webinar organised by the Asian Institute of Eco-civilization Research and Development (AIERD), Vice President of the Center for China and Globalization Prof Victor Gao praised Pakistan for its pivotal role in establishing China-US relations, which he called one of the most significant game-changing events in modern history. Gao highlighted Pakistan's critical mediation role, referring to it as an exemplary model of diplomacy. He emphasised that Pakistan had made an exceptional contribution to humanity by bridging countries from diverse backgrounds, fostering global development and peace. According to him, the strengthening of China-US relations had not only accelerated globalisation but also brought nations closer together, significantly impacting global development. On the topic of China-Pakistan relations, Prof Gao expressed that no country holds more importance for China than Pakistan, emphasising the 'iron-clad' nature of their partnership. He stressed that China's commitment to supporting Pakistan's sovereignty and legitimate interests is unwavering, citing historical examples such as the 1965 and 1971 wars, where China stood alongside Pakistan, as well as during more recent conflicts. 'China will always come forward to help Pakistan safeguard its legitimate interests and sovereignty,' Prof Gao affirmed, underlining that Pakistan holds a special place in China's international relations. He also addressed concerns regarding Pakistan's internal security, stating that the country's enemies would never succeed in destabilising it. He specifically dismissed the notion of an independent Balochistan, stating, 'The dream of independent Balochistan will always remain a dream. Balochistan will never be separated or independent, no matter what the enemies of Pakistan, separatists, or terrorists plan or do.' He concluded his speech by recognising Pakistan's significant role as a geopolitical player since its independence, pointing to its involvement in key historical events. According to Prof Gao, Pakistan's role on the world stage has been instrumental in shaping modern history. AIERD Chairman Zahid Latif Khan reciprocated his sentiments, expressing gratitude for his insightful lecture on the importance of Pakistan-China relations. Khan underscored the need for both countries to strengthen their economic ties, particularly in areas such as financial integration and collaboration between their stock exchanges. He also suggested that Chinese companies operating in Pakistan could benefit from the country's Islamic financing system, including Sukuk Bonds. During the webinar, Gao responded to a question by asserting that Pakistan holds a superiority in the five-dimensional war over India, expressing confidence that India would refrain from further military adventurism. He also addressed the growing field of technology, urging China and Pakistan to enhance their cooperation, particularly in the area of artificial intelligence (AI). He noted China's open AI cooperation policy and encouraged Pakistan to accelerate its efforts to capitalise on this opportunity. 'We should work together to establish a strong foundation in technology and AI, which will shape a promising future for both countries,' Prof Gao added. In closing, AIERD CEO Shakeel Ahmad Ramay, and moderator of the event, thanked Prof Gao and the participants. He concluded the webinar by stating that the China-Pakistan relationship is unique, and that traditional theories cannot fully explain it. Ramay expressed confidence that the two nations would continue working together to create a shared future that would contribute to global prosperity and sustainable peace.
Memri
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Memri
Chinese Researcher Dr. Victor Gao: Whatever Iran Is Doing Is justified; If Countries Join the War Alongside Israel, Don't Exclude the Possibility That Major Countries Would Join Iran
Dr. Victor Gao, vice chairman of the Center for China and Globalization, warned in a June 19, 2025 appearance on Al-Jazeera Network (Qatar) that if countries enter the war to fight against Iran on behalf of Israel, they should not exclude the possibility that other countries might militarily intervene in support of Iran. Gao described the war as an 'unjustified' war of aggression imposed on Iran. He stated that if the United States chooses to join Israel and 'become an aggressor against Iran,' history would judge it accordingly. Gao added that China's position is 'very clear,' Israel initiated a war against a UN member, and China 'deplores' Israel's attack on Iranian nuclear facilities, calling it a 'very serious offense against world peace and security.' Gao said: 'Whatever Iran is doing is justified.'
