China gives Pakistani Army Chief Asim Munir a dressing down over attacks on its nationals, projects
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi recently reprimanded Pakistani Army Chief Asim Munir regarding persistent attacks on Chinese citizens and projects within Pakistan. These attacks, largely by Baloch separatist groups, threaten the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), especially the Gwadar port.
New Delhi: Pakistani Army Chief Asim Munir's recent China visit turned out to be a dismal one, as Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi gave him a dressing down over continuous attacks on Chinese nationals and businesses in the latter's country.
Armed groups in Pakistan have attacked Chinese projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and Chinese nationals living in the country several times in recent years. Over the years, China has urged Pakistan to control those groups, but the regime failed at the task and could not even protect its personnel.
On Thursday, Wang sternly told Munir that he hopes "the Pakistani military will continue to make all-out efforts to ensure the safety of Chinese personnel, projects and institutions in Pakistan". The state-owned Xinhua news agency has carried the statement.
Despite Pakistan and China showing off a strong, all-weather relationship, Wang’s tone makes it clear that his government is displeased with Pakistan's state of affairs. The messy affair of the Gwadar port has made things worse, with the project being an important point of CPEC. However, it has failed to take off even after investments worth billions of dollars.
While Munir assured China that its interests would be protected in Pakistan, Wang Yi did not seem pleased at all. In the last year, Pakistan has taken several steps to that effect, including allowing private Chinese security companies in the country to secure Chinese nationals and projects.
As per reports, Munir told Wang, "Pakistani military will continue taking all necessary measures to safeguard the safety of Chinese personnel, projects, and institutions within its territory."
In the Balochistan province, where the place of China's Gwadar port and other projects, Baloch groups have been battling the government for decades. They have killed Pakistani soldiers, police, and government personnel and also attacked Chinese nationals and projects.