Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao's recent visit to Pakistan has been significant for at least two reasons. First, the discussions between Pakistani officials and their Chinese counterparts indicate China is moving toward forging a crucial link in Pakistan-China relations: economic cooperation, according to the Dawn newspaper. Relations between the two countries have been primarily strategic in nature, with economic matters often taking a back seat. In this regard, the relationship is certainly unusual. The normal route to strategic partnerships is trade and economic interdependency. While it remains to be seen how many of the varied Memorandums of Understanding and other agreement translate into actual investment and economic cooperation, Pakistan should keenly pursue at least the agreements in the energy and electricity sectors, given the dire need for investment and assistance in those areas. The planned enhancement of people-to-people contacts – through scholarships, the inauguration of a cultural center, provision of medical services, etc. – is also a welcome step. Relations between states are solidified when their people begin to interact. The focus on economic cooperation is especially important for Pakistan given the hundreds of billions of dollars China is pouring into its western regions. Pakistan is a natural trade route for those areas as well as a potential source of raw materials for the Chinese industrial and manufacturing juggernaut. A related matter is the concern China has long expressed about the Pakistan connection to militancy among the Ughurs in the Xinjiang region. However, in his address to the joint session of parliament, Wen appeared to strike a conciliatory note, suggesting that terrorism should not be linked to “any specific religion or nation” and that “root causes” needed to be focused on. The comments will likely be interpreted here as a sign that China's anxieties about the militancy threat in its western region are beginning to abate. In Pakistan, where the security establishment has prevented the expansion of economic ties with India until there is some movement on political and security issues, the Chinese example ought to be studied. China has benefited enormously by treating economic needs separately from security concerns. Why can't Pakistan do the same? __
