China’s West Coast Begins in Pakistan: The Second Transcontinental Railroad
Abstract:
On February 18, 2013, Pakistani President Asif Ali Zadari signed over control of Gwadar port to the Chinese state-owned company, China Overseas Port Holding Company (COPHC) previously contracted to Port of Singapore Authority (PSA). Citing failure to complete the promised connecting highway linking the north-south Indus Highway in Pakistan, China now operates a strategic port in the Arabian Sea, another site for the “string of pearls” expansion model. In a dynamic shift that would render the Malakas issue void, China’s known penchant for provision of critical infrastructure expenditures to corruption-prone governments in return for national resources, could spur the next transcontinental railroad construction in Pakistan. Resembling the great engineering feats in the U.S. from 1863-1869, China could effectively place Gwadar port as its new western city on the sea. Promoting dominance in the Asia world, checking Russian aspirations to reach the southern coast and asserting new authority in the Gulf region will change China’s reach forever and position Pakistan as one of China's most strategic allies of the future.
Notice: All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise except as noted below, without the written and express permission of Blue Glass Development, LLC.
On February 18, 2013, Pakistani President Asif Ali Zadari signed over control of Gwadar port to the Chinese state-owned company, China Overseas Port Holding Company (COPHC) previously contracted to Port of Singapore Authority (PSA). Citing failure to complete the promised connecting highway linking the north-south Indus Highway in Pakistan, China now operates a strategic port in the Arabian Sea, another site for the “string of pearls” expansion model. In a dynamic shift that would render the Malakas issue void, China’s known penchant for provision of critical infrastructure expenditures to corruption-prone governments in return for national resources, could spur the next transcontinental railroad construction in Pakistan. Resembling the great engineering feats in the U.S. from 1863-1869, China could effectively place Gwadar port as its new western city on the sea. Promoting dominance in the Asia world, checking Russian aspirations to reach the southern coast and asserting new authority in the Gulf region will change China’s reach forever and position Pakistan as one of China's most strategic allies of the future.
Notice: All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise except as noted below, without the written and express permission of Blue Glass Development, LLC.