Xi will no doubt tout the Pakistan investments—which include a network of road, rail, power and port projects that are collectively known as the China Pakistan Economic Corridor, or CPEC—at his massive “Belt and Road” conference later this month. As part of CPEC, Chinese loans will flow into Pakistan for urban transport infrastructure, for power plants and for ports and highways. The second lesson is to beware of the Pakistan army. Meanwhile, the civilian government is quietly but rapidly losing enthusiasm for CPEC projects, which it correctly recognizes may wind up draining its resources instead of increasing them. There’s no question a more stable and prosperous Pakistan is vital for South and West Asia, for China and for the world.

Source: Mint May 04, 2017 04:52 UTC