Last Updated:
Despite China raising the matter repeatedly, Pakistan has failed to keep its promises to provide adequate safety to Chinese nationals.
China is reportedly frustrated by corruption in CPEC funds and terror attacks on Chinese nationals. (Chinese Embassy)
In a big setback for Pakistan, China has sought an alternative to the flagship China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) by constructing a road connecting it to Iran via Afghanistan to get oil.
Sources told CNN-News18 that China is upset with Pakistani generals over the security of Chinese citizens in the country, who have repeatedly come under terrorist attacks. Chinese officials have also expressed fury over corruption in funds and budgets connected to the $65 billion in CPEC in Gwadar.
Now, China is reportedly turning its attention to the road connecting it with Iran for oil imports in order to establish its dominance in global energy access. Beijing is creating the fastest route to get oil from Iran via Afghanistan.
A ‘Game-Changer’ In China’s Trade Routes
China is seemingly fed up with Pakistan over its failure to provide adequate security for Chinese nationals after a suicide blast attack at Karachi airport claimed the lives of two Chinese citizens in October. The attack was claimed by the separatist Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), which has accused Pakistan and China of exploiting the restive Balochistan province.
Sources described China’s plan to establish a corridor to Iran as a “game-changer” as it not only would increase oil imports, but can potentially reshape its trade routes entirely. This would also increase pressure on Pakistan as it also has problems with the United States as well as countries like India, Iran and Afghanistan.
To make things worse, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia are also angered at the cash-strapped Pakistan and are unwilling to bail them out. Pakistan’s $7 million deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has also landed in hot waters as it’s economy continues to crumble.
Attacks On Chinese Nationals In Pakistan
There have been several incidents of Chinese nationals being killed or kidnapped near the construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). China has raised this issue on multiple occasions and has urged Islamabad to prioritise the safety and security of its citizens working in Pakistan.
- 2022: Three Chinese nationals were killed in a suicide bombing in Karachi while two others were injured.
- 2022: Two Chinese nationals were killed in a bombing at Karachi University, while one was injured.
- 2021: At least nine Chinese nationals were killed during a bus bombing in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while four others were injured.
- 2019: Two Chinese engineers were killed in a terrorist attack at a hydropower project site in Dasu, while one was injured.
- 2018: A Chinese national was killed in Karachi while two others were injured.
- 2017: Two Chinese nationals were kidnapped in Balochistan’s Quetta and killed by the Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist group.
- 2007: Three Chinese nationals were kidnapped in South Waziristan. Two of them were killed while one managed to escape.
China had stepped up demands for better security for its citizens in Pakistan. Chinese ambassador Jiang Zaidong told a gathering in Islamabad in October that the rising number of deadly attacks was unacceptable. Despite Islamabad’s assurances, it has failed to live up to its promises as two Chinese nationals were wounded in yet another attack in Karachi on November 5.
