SUMMARY of the article “What China wants from Pakistan,” by Khurram Husain, published on November 9, 2023

The crux of what China seeks from Pakistan is akin to its goals with other nations – maintaining a perpetual trade surplus in its favor. This is evident through the stark numbers; Pakistan has accumulated a trade deficit with China approaching $90 billion since 2010. Contrarily, Pakistan maintains trade surpluses with countries like the US, UK, and the EU. This trade deficit with China is a relatively recent development, with China’s position as Pakistan’s largest trade deficit partner solidifying after 2010. Few countries worldwide sustain trade surpluses with China. Unlike nations like India, which have protected their trade interests by avoiding bilateral free trade agreements, Pakistan has deepened its association with China and increasingly relied on Chinese credit. China’s commitment to Pakistan in development finance, including budgetary support, stands at $70 billion since 2000, with $56 billion pledged during the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) era. This trend suggests that China’s purpose is to sustain this loss-making relationship, enabling Pakistan to accumulate more significant deficits each year. » Read More…