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Business Recorder
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
China's commitment, Pakistan's opportunity
EDITORIAL: While much of the developing world struggles to navigate the fault lines of a new Cold War, Pakistan appears to be managing its balancing act with unusual poise. The deepening of ties with China, reaffirmed yet again in Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar's latest meeting with Wang Yi, underscores a crucial constant in Pakistan's foreign policy: Beijing has been a reliable, strategic, and deeply invested partner, regardless of the diplomatic weather. This renewed emphasis on cooperation in agriculture, industry, and mining couldn't come at a better time. Each of these sectors holds transformative potential for Pakistan, and each has stagnated for reasons both structural and political. If China's technical expertise and capital — already well established through CPEC — can be channelled into these critical domains, the resulting multiplier effect could reshape not just trade flows, but Pakistan's growth trajectory itself. That's not wishful thinking. China's record in capacity-building and infrastructure deployment across Asia and Africa is well-documented. Pakistan, for all its internal dysfunction, has been a standout recipient of Chinese commitment, economically, diplomatically, and militarily. Even in the recent war with India, when much of the world hedged or looked away, China stood firm in supporting Pakistan's strategic space. That solidarity matters. So does Beijing's unambiguous support for Pakistan's anti-terror operations, and its confidence in Islamabad's ability to protect Chinese projects and personnel on the ground. Contrast this with the ambiguity in Pakistan's dealings with Washington. As the US increasingly views global affairs through a China-containment lens, bilateral engagement with Pakistan has become more transactional, more tactical. Islamabad can no longer afford to mistake occasional nods of approval from Washington as strategic depth. That's why Beijing's clarity, both in commitment and continuity, is invaluable. Still, Pakistan has done well to avoid open alignment in the US-China binary. Even as its relationship with China has matured into a strategic cooperative partnership, Islamabad has resisted being boxed into an anti-West posture. That balancing act is rarely acknowledged, yet it remains one of the more underrated successes of Pakistan's foreign policy. Now, with CPEC's next phase aiming at industrial cooperation and sustainable growth, this new push into agriculture and mining could expand the corridor into a truly multidimensional economic framework. Pakistan's agriculture sector, chronically underproductive and exposed to climate volatility, needs smart technology, irrigation infrastructure, and better logistics — all of which China can help deliver. Similarly, mining remains one of Pakistan's most underexploited sectors, despite rich deposits of copper, gold, and rare earths. If Beijing's entry can introduce efficiency, transparency, and export-scale production, it would be a rare and welcome inflection point. There's of course the risk of overdependence — or worse, capture — that critics often cite when discussing China's international footprint. But that framing ignores two key facts: first, no major donor has come close to matching China's scale and consistency in Pakistan; and second, the success or failure of these ventures will ultimately depend on how Pakistani institutions govern them. Blaming China for local mis-governance is deflection, not diagnosis. The priority now must be to convert this political goodwill into fast-tracked, bankable projects. Coordination mechanisms between Islamabad and Beijing already exist; they need to deliver. At the same time, messaging around this partnership must remain calibrated — not boastful, not paranoid. China does not ask for allegiance, only stability and execution. Pakistan would do well to reciprocate with seriousness, not slogans. In a world of shifting alliances and unreliable allies, Pakistan's enduring partnership with China remains a strategic anchor. With the right policy focus, and a bit of administrative discipline, it could also be the engine that lifts Pakistan's economy into a higher orbit. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
The Citizen
16-07-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Mr President, it's time for you to leave
An open letter to President Cyril Ramaphosa, as South Africa becomes a failing state. Dear Mr President, Your lacklustre TV appearance on Sunday left the entire nation underwhelmed. It is embarrassingly clear that you are not the president as appearing on TV in a smart suit does not make one presidential. Instead, you have become a convenor of commissions and judicial inquiries that cost millions and only lead to cover-ups and denials. You use these forums to deflect blame and misdirect an angry and desperate nation. Your commissions and inquiries exhaust us while bankrupting the country. Under your watch, you have overseen the destruction of political accountability and integrity. You use words such as 'democracy' and 'freedom' as though they will magically correct everything that has been trampled on under your leadership. We are not free. We are being held hostage by government-driven criminality and corruption that has degraded almost every aspect of our lives. We never voted for a leader that would enslave us while hollowing out our economy for own financial and personal gain. Our country is drowning in debt and yet you continually and shamelessly hold out the beggar's bowl and boast how much money you have been able to scrounge from the international community that you obviously despise. The international community is now realising that your government and faction played the great deception with your platitudes, posturing and deceptive rhetoric. ALSO READ: Mr President, the ball is in your court In so doing, you have betrayed the people you are supposed to lead and protect. Under your anti-West policies, you have overseen the destruction of our economy. Like your well-known proverbial frog, you have put the entire nation in the pot and the filthy water is slowly reaching boiling point. The recent allegations about our minister of police are beyond shocking, especially as he is so close to you. Yet, he gets placed on 'special leave', no doubt with full pay, while such allegations against any other citizen will lead to much more severe sanction. The hypocrisy is astounding. And the public's loss of trust in our law enforcement agencies under your leadership is terrifying. And while the nation continues to reel in shock at the allegations, you continue flirting with states that sponsor chaos and international terrorism. Surely you must be aware of the consequences and grave dangers you are leading the nation into by your steadfast and vocal support for Iran? Iran has been a sponsor for international terrorism for years as they support Hamas, Hezbollah, IS, al-Shabaab and such like. Many of these terror groups enjoy safe haven in SA – and your government has allowed this. Some of these Iranian-backed forces are active in Africa. They murder, slaughter and abuse Africans. They are genocidal proxy forces that attack African Christians and also Muslims who do not subscribe to their ideals. ALSO READ: Our promised land was sold to thugs They act on behalf of Iran – your great Brics ally and friend. By implication, you are the leader of a political party in our parliament that endorses black genocide and you do this in our name. We never voted for you to support this unspeakable betrayal and genocide of Africa – or to be a proxy for such states. Known international terrorists and violent criminals are quietly given safe haven in our country. They are free to practice their terror and criminality. Some are even based not too far from your home in Johannesburg. Under your leadership, South Africa has become an increasingly failing state. You have allowed the collapse of our law enforcement agencies and intelligence service. Our underfunded armed forces are forced to surrender to rebel forces and it takes months to bring them home. There are large tracts of ungoverned spaces in our rural and urban areas. What a disgrace, Mr President. Instead of defending and driving the right to life, safety and property, you have instead done the opposite with your policies based on exclusion and disuniting rhetoric. Populism can never outlive the desires of people to progress. And you then want to be seen as a peacemaker in Africa while challenging the international community with a hollow voice and a no diplomatic or power credibility. Mr President, are you determined to engineer the collapse of our country and position us as a terror-supporting country? We can no longer tolerate this self-centred behaviour of those who are expected to lead us into the utopia your government promised and then destroyed. You and your faction have robbed us of our dignity, pride and unity. It is time for you to leave – and please take your cadres with you. NOW READ: 'We're not always what we claim to be': Ramaphosa takes dig at SA's politicians during Mabuza's funeral
The Diplomat
09-07-2025
- Business
- The Diplomat
At Rio, the BRICS Projected the Voice of the Global South
India's presence in BRICS gives the grouping, which is often seen to be 'anti-West' a 'non-West' image. The 17th BRICS summit at Rio de Janeiro on July 6-7 concluded with members committing to strengthening multilateralism, defending international law, and striving for a more equitable global order. Given the myriad global challenges, including war and economic upheavals, amid which the Rio Summit took place, it was no surprise that Brazil, which hosted the summit for the fourth time since its founding in 2009, chose the theme, 'Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance.' The summit focused on reform of global governance, peace and security, strengthening multilateralism, economic and financial affairs, and artificial intelligence and global health. The Rio Declaration included 'a commitment to reforming and improving global governance.' It was forthright in criticizing the Donald Trump administration's imposition of unilateral sanctions and trade-limiting measures. There was a strong call — some say much more robustly than before — for the 'need to adapt the current architecture of international relations to better reflect the contemporary realities.' The declaration reaffirmed the group's 'commitment to multilateralism and upholding the international law' with a recognition of the 'central role of the UN in the international system.' This must be seen against the backdrop of Trump's moves to pull the U.S. away from multilateral institutions and his penchant for imposing unilateral tariffs on countries with whom the U.S. has a trade deficit. Importantly, BRICS endorsed a bigger role for the Global South by calling for 'greater and more meaningful participation and representation' of Emerging Markets and Developing Countries, as well as Least Developed Countries, especially from Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean in global decision-making processes and structures. 'We highlight the importance of the Global South as a driver for positive change, especially in the face of significant international challenges, including deepening geopolitical tensions, rapid economic downturns and technological changes, protectionist measures and migratory challenges. We believe BRICS countries continue to play a pivotal role in voicing the concerns and priorities of the Global South, as well as in promoting a more just, sustainable, inclusive, representative and stable international order based on international law,' it said. The Rio Summit criticized the military strikes on Iran last month. However, neither the U.S. nor Israel was named. But it did express 'grave concern' over 'the resumption of continuous Israeli attacks against Gaza and obstruction of the entry of humanitarian aid into the territory.' There was also condemnation of 'the use of starvation as a method of warfare.' For India, a key takeaway from the summit was the BRICS' declaration's condemnation of the April 22 terrorist attack at Pahalgam that killed 26 people. Although Pakistan, which India believes was behind the attack, was not named in the statement, the fact that the declaration underlined the primary responsibility of states in combating terrorism was endorsed by China, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, is a matter of satisfaction. China is Pakistan's avowed all-weather friend, while Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the UAE are members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, which routinely criticizes India on Kashmir. This, especially against the backdrop of a perception in India that its military action, Operation Sindoor, had not garnered much international support. BRICS' condemnation of the attack at Pahalgam was all the more significant as only last month, a Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) defense ministers' meeting in China, under pressure from China and Pakistan, kept out any reference to the attack. India had refused to sign the SCO joint statement. With Brazil passing the baton of the BRICS chair to India, New Delhi will have an opportunity to set a constructive and forward-looking agenda. Currently, BRICS brings together eleven major emerging economies of the world, representing around 49.5 percent of the global population, around 40 percent of the global GDP and around 26 percent of global trade. As the chair of the G-20 in 2023, India positioned itself as the voice of the Global South, holding discussions with countries unrepresented at the G-20 table and including their inputs for the Delhi summit. It also took the initiative to welcome the African Union as a full member of the G-20. As the host of the BRICS summit in 2026, India will have the opportunity to burnish its credentials as a voice of the Global South. India has already set its aim to 'redefine BRICS as Building Resilience and Innovation for Cooperation and Sustainability.' In his remarks at Rio, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that India would 'advance this forum with a people-centric approach and the spirit of 'Humanity First.'' In that, India would be taking the path it took at the G-20 Summit in Delhi when it incorporated inclusivity as a central plank of its presidency and spotlighted the concerns of the Global South. India has been pushing developed countries to commit to increased funding and technology transfers for countries of the Global South to strengthen their capacity to fight climate change. This is likely to figure prominently in the agenda India sets for the BRICS summit next year. Brazil, Russia, India and China founded BRICS — then known as BRIC — in 2009. The grouping's membership has grown since. South Africa joined in 2011, and Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the UAE in 2024. In January this year, Indonesia became a full member. Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda and Uzbekistan are 'partner countries.' Several BRICS members view the grouping as an alternative to the West. However, several Western countries view it as an 'anti-West bloc.' For example, Trump, who sees BRICS as a threat, has warned of consequences against moves such as the proposed BRICS common currency that would challenge the U.S. dollar. While the presence of China, Iran and Russia in BRICS makes it seem an 'anti-West' forum given their serious disputes with the U.S. and the European Union, India, which is a member of the Quad, helps temper opinions to make it appear 'non-West' but not 'anti-West.' In that sense, BRICS has helped India preserve its freedom to engage with partners across geopolitical divides, keeping its national interests front and center. Last but not the least, by being part of BRICS, India has sought to ensure that the grouping is not fully dominated by its strategic rival, China. While India may not be challenging China openly just yet, it aspires to be a pole or a global power in a multipolar world. By being a BRICS member, India hopes to ensure that China doesn't weaponize the platform against India. It also ensures that China doesn't solely corner the leadership of the Global South. Going forward, BRICS faces several challenges. Given the expanding membership, consensus may be hard to find on key global issues, given that each member state has its own priorities and national interests. Bilateral tensions between members could also hamper progress. BRICS, therefore, seems to be at a critical crossroads – it can either be overwhelmed by internal contradictions or it can cement its position as a forum that can hold existing power centers accountable while coming up with solutions acceptable to the Global North and Global South. As the chair of BRICS in 2026, India will have an opportunity to steer the grouping in the latter direction, despite the many fault lines that can divide the grouping.
Perth Now
09-07-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
Thorny issue as Albo heads to China
Jim Chalmers has spruiked trade with China ahead of Anthony Albanese's imminent state visit but says there are 'complexities' the Prime Minister will need to navigate. Among the myriad of thorny issues is Labor's election commitment to get the Port of Darwin back in Australian hands. It has not ruled out forcing a sale to break the 99-year lease to China's Landbridge Holdings, which was greenlit by the Turnbull-Coalition government a decade ago. Beijing has indicated it would bring up the touchy topic when Mr Albanese visits. Calling the trip a 'very, very important opportunity', the Treasurer on Wednesday said raising points of agreement and disagreement was a balancing act. 'This is a trading relationship and economic relationship that benefits both sides, and we've shown a willingness and ability to stabilise that relationship, to engage in our national interests and in the interests of our workers and businesses and investors,' Mr Chalmers told the ABC. 'But there are complexities in the relationship as well, and we've been clear that we think the Port of Darwin should never have been sold off under the previous Liberal government in the first place. 'We've made it very clear that we will see the Port of Darwin return to Australian hands – that's what we committed to during the election.' Hesitant to drop any details, he said the Albanese government would 'work through that methodically'. 'We won't speculate on prospective buyers, and we'll have more to say about it in due course,' Mr Chalmers added. 'But there are complexities in the relationship with China. 'We don't pretend that there aren't, and this is one of them, and we'll work through it with engagement, we'll work through it methodically and in a considered way as we have with some of the other issues in the relationship.' Treasurer Jim Chalmers says there are 'complexities' in Australia's relationship with China. NewsWire / Martin Ollman Credit: News Corp Australia In China, state media has framed Mr Albanese's visit positively or along strictly neutral, government-issued lines. The Global Times – a Chinese Communist Party mouthpiece that routinely publishes anti-West, anti-Australia propaganda – reported that China was 'willing to work with Australia', citing the country's foreign ministry. China Daily took a similar line. 'Under the guidance of the leaders of the two countries and with the joint efforts of both sides, China-Australia relations have continued to improve,' China Daily cited the same foreign ministry spokeswoman as saying. 'China is willing to work with Australia to take this visit as an opportunity to strengthen communication, enhance mutual trust, expand practical co-operation, and advance the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.'
West Australian
09-07-2025
- Business
- West Australian
Jim Chalmers spruiks China trade, admits ‘complexities' ahead of PM's trip
Jim Chalmers has spruiked trade with China ahead of Anthony Albanese's imminent state visit but says there are 'complexities' the Prime Minister will need to navigate. Among the myriad of thorny issues is Labor's election commitment to get the Port of Darwin back in Australian hands. It has not ruled out forcing a sale to break the 99-year lease to China's Landbridge Holdings, which was greenlit by the Turnbull-Coalition government a decade ago. Beijing has indicated it would bring up the touchy topic when Mr Albanese visits. Calling the trip a 'very, very important opportunity', the Treasurer on Wednesday said raising points of agreement and disagreement was a balancing act. 'This is a trading relationship and economic relationship that benefits both sides, and we've shown a willingness and ability to stabilise that relationship, to engage in our national interests and in the interests of our workers and businesses and investors,' Mr Chalmers told the ABC. 'But there are complexities in the relationship as well, and we've been clear that we think the Port of Darwin should never have been sold off under the previous Liberal government in the first place. 'We've made it very clear that we will see the Port of Darwin return to Australian hands – that's what we committed to during the election.' Hesitant to drop any details, he said the Albanese government would 'work through that methodically'. 'We won't speculate on prospective buyers, and we'll have more to say about it in due course,' Mr Chalmers added. 'But there are complexities in the relationship with China. 'We don't pretend that there aren't, and this is one of them, and we'll work through it with engagement, we'll work through it methodically and in a considered way as we have with some of the other issues in the relationship.' In China, state media has framed Mr Albanese's visit positively or along strictly neutral, government-issued lines. The Global Times – a Chinese Communist Party mouthpiece that routinely publishes anti-West, anti-Australia propaganda – reported that China was 'willing to work with Australia', citing the country's foreign ministry. China Daily took a similar line. 'Under the guidance of the leaders of the two countries and with the joint efforts of both sides, China-Australia relations have continued to improve,' China Daily cited the same foreign ministry spokeswoman as saying. 'China is willing to work with Australia to take this visit as an opportunity to strengthen communication, enhance mutual trust, expand practical co-operation, and advance the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.'
