OpEd: New Alignments with China and Pakistan
According to the suggested strategy, China is becoming a significant soft power. It has shown that it can provide justification for the accomplishment of its powerful OBOR. It is pushing toward the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and Africa in order to dominate their commercial markets through mediating peace.
By repairing the strained ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia, it has brilliantly achieved a significant diplomatic triumph. The long-time adversaries have restored embassies and begun establishing regular diplomatic contacts. While the Middle East situation has also improved, with the Houthis initiating a truce, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has made his first trip to Saudi Arabia in years.
China is also coordinating with Russia and Ukraine to find a diplomatic resolution to their protracted war.
Beijing is attempting to build a favorable diplomatic reputation via its attempts to broker peace in order to exert diplomatic and political influence on the states. Chinese involvement in politics and diplomacy throughout the globe is strengthening their worldwide influence. Additionally, it is acting in Ethiopia, Myanmar, and Afghanistan.
According to a 2019 Asia Power Index survey, China placed first in terms of diplomatic influence and second out of 25 countries in terms of cultural impact, after the US. In addition, according to a research by Portland Communications and the US Center for Public Diplomacy, China’s soft power in 2018 and 2019 was placed 27th out of 30.
Pakistan has a lot to gain from these changes and the rise of China as a global soft power actor in the meantime. With the current changes, it must reevaluate its policies while prioritizing the interests of the state. The decision to acquire Russian crude oil was a noble one. To begin building the Iran-Pakistan Gas Pipeline by involving and upgrading it to China, further work is required.
