GWADAR PORT AND INTERSTS OF CHINA

Abstract
In the changing world of global politics, the sea politics is getting more importance than the land
politics because it is more beneficial for the economy of the country. It brings more economic
prosperity to the country as it connects the land lock states with the coastal ones. Gwadar port is
the warm water sea port and one of the deepest ports in the world. It is situated at the mouth of
Persian Gulf near Strait of Hormuz holding 2/3 world oil reserves. The port is blessing not only
for Pakistan but as well for the China because it connects China with the Central Asian states,
Middle East, Europe and Africa through the string of pearls and provide a safe sea route in
contrast to the current sea route Strait of Malacca and Strait of Hormuz which can be blocked
any time for china by the fear of external players. But the Gwadar port provides a sense of
security to china as Pakistan and China having friendly relations since the both countries develop
the diplomatic relations. China is more interested in the construction of Gwadar port as it over
come the Chinese Malacca Dilemma and provides safe trade routes. This is the reason that China
is investing in the construction of Gwadar projects and signed the MOU in the form of CPEC.
But this golden opportunity also brings some major concerns about the secrecy of the deal and
most important the concerns of Bloch natives who are not part of the deal.
Key words: Gwadar port, China interests, Sea politics

Objective of the study

To explore the benefits of Gwadar port not only for Pakistan but also for the China
To highlight the Baloch insecurity on Gwadar port lease and their solutions
Research questions
1. Why china is more interested in investing the terror prone country?
2. Will Gwadar port be something for Pakistan like a gold rush or it is just a perception?
3. Will Gwadar port influence the other ports in its surrounding if yes how?
4. Will china able to invest in this project despite of its own economic crunch?
Literature review
Nadir Mir Gwadar on the Global Chessboard Karachi Ferozesons (Pvt) Ldt, 2014
Gwadar on the Global Chessboard is a book on Pakistans Geo-economics. This book is one of
the economic alternatives for Pakistan. The author emphasize on the importance of the Gwadar
port as the converging hub of the future trade and transit routes emanating from the Central
Asian Republics, China and even Russia as this is the shortest route leading to the Persian Gulf
and Indian Ocean. The author mentions how Pakistan replaces its aid based economy with a
trade-transit-energy centre based economy. Pakistan should capitalize on its pivotal geography,
central position between multi regions. Pakistan locate is between China and Indian Ocean,
Central Asia and warm waters, South Asia and Central Asia West Asia and China. Pakistan as a
state actor can provide a geographic, energy, and demographic link up.
Fazal-ur-Rehman and Hamayoun Khan Pakistan China Economic Relations hand book on
Pakistan-China relations Lahore Dost Publications (Pvt) Ltd, 2015

Fazal-ur- Rehman and Khan in this handbook writes about the Pakistan- China economic
relations in perspective of Gwadar port. The authors of the book say that Pakistan is preparing to
serve as a trade and energy Corridor for China. They discussed the importance of Gwadar port
for China and other projects related to CPEC like establishing railway link, gas pipeline, oil
refining and storage facilities are under economic preparation. Despite significant improvement
in Pak-China economic relations the trade relations have remained well below the expectations
due to multitude of problems such as infrastructure deficit, particularly the energy shortage, poor
innovation and technological infrastructure, low labor productivity and trust deficit between the
Bloch communities.
Aymen Ijaz Significance of Gwadar port IPRI, August 2015
In this article the author touches the historical aspects of Gwadar port that it was purchased by
the Pakistan in 1958 from the Omani Sultanate at the cost of US $ 3 million. Further she
discussed its construction phases1988-1992 and 2007-2012. She elaborates the geo-strategic
importance of Gwadar port by mentioning the points that is third important deep sea port of the
Pakistan after Karachi and Qasim Ports. It connects Pakistan with Central Asian states, Middle
East, Africa and Europe. China is the main beneficiary of this Port as it is heavily investing in the
construction of Gwadar port which connects China to the other region by providing the shortest
sea route which also gives China a sense of security over the Strait of Malacca and strait of
Hormuz which can block on Chine by the external players. The article also emphasis on the
Baluchistan prosperity which is connected with the operational work of Gwadar port and Baloch
grievances must be addressed by this project. It is not only a source of trade route but also
strengthened the Tourism, helps in energy sector, hotel industry and state revenue and countrys
economy. It will capture new market economy by attracting more foreign investors in Pakistan.
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This piece of writing also discussed the threats to Indian economy by the Chinese String of
Pearls which they tried to encounter with the Chabahar project- a sea port in Iran connecting Iran
and India to Central Asian states enriched with natural resources.
Markus Market Pakistan in the New Great Game: The political economy and Geopolitics of
Gwadar port E- International Relations Students, Oct, 2015
A very comprehensive article written by Market on importance of Gwadar port and concerns of
the regional players on its construction. This article talks about the Chinas interests in the
construction of Gwadar port as Chinas thirst for energy from the Middle East, especially its
demand for crude oil is growing at stunning speed. Market also discussed the external powers
and their intervening role in Gwadar and Baluchistan. The author discussed the two main
theories of IR Mackinders Heart land theory and Spykmans Rimland theory and connects them
with the importance of Gwadar port in this region. Gwadars contemporary geopolitics
significance will be underscored and particular emphasis will be put on its importance for
Chinas energy strategy.
Hasan Yasser Malik Strategic Importance of Gwadar Port journal of Political Studies Vol 19
(2012)
Hasan Malik describes the Gwadar port as the vibrant regional economic hub for Pakistan as it
connects Pakistan with the energy rich countries the Central Asian States and with the Middle
East. He also describes the role of external players like Iran and Middle Eastern countries who
want to keep Gwadar out of the competition as it serves as a gateway to Strait of Hurmoz. With
the defining of geo-strategic importance of Gawadar port he also mentions the interests of the
external players like Chine whose main concern is with the construction of Gwadar port so that
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she can connect itself with the energy rich countries and quench her thirst of crude oil from the
Middle East. The interests of other external players are not positives as is China because the
other players wants to keep Gwadar out of the competition like the Middle Eastern countries
whose sea trade route will affect with the construction of Gawadar port. In Asia region Pakistan
arch rival India will suffer more with the construction of Gwadar port as India cannot connects
itself to the CARS despite its Chabahar sea port project with Iran. CARS and Afghanistan are in
interest of Gawadar as it connects them with the rest of the world.
Historical background of Gwadar port
Portuguese explorers captured and sacked Gwadar in the late 16th century. This was followed by
centuries of local rule by various Baloch tribes. In 1783 the Khan of Kalat granted Gwadar to
Taimur Sultan, the defeated ruler of Muscat. When Taimur recaptured Muscat, he continued to
rule Gwadar by appointing a wali or governor. The new governor was ordered to conquer the
nearby coastal town of Chah Bahar (in modern Iran). Gwadar fort was built during Omani rule,
whilst telegraph lines were extended into Gwadar courtesy of the British. In 1958, the Gwadar
enclave was transferred to Pakistan and was made part of Baluchistan province.
Geo- strategic importance of Gwadar port
The port holds great strategic and economic significance for Pakistan. It is third important deep
sea port of Pakistan after Karachi and Qasim ports. It is located at cross junction of international
sea shipping and oil trade routes. Gwadar can act as an international trade hub for Pakistan.
Gwadar port would connect three regions, i.e. Central Asia, South Asia and Middle East. It
would open new job opportunities and help in the development of Baluchistan. Pakistan would
be able to explore minerals, hydrocarbons, oil and gas resources of CARs. The port will attract
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foreign investment and tourism. It would provide foreign reserves and free trade zones and
special economic zones (SEZ) that would help in the economic prosperity of Baluchistan and
Pakistan. It would help to increase Pakistans trade and commercial activities particularly in
Baluchistan province, so provincial grievances will be addressed(IPRI,2015)
Gwadar will help Pakistan to monitor the Sea Lines of Communications (SLOCs) originating
from the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz. Gwadar will able to control the oil sea routes
and trade links among regions such as South Asia, Africa, Central Asia, Gulf and Middle East. It
will provide strategic leverage to Pakistan vis--vis India, as the port is far from Indian reach as
compared to other two Pakistani ports. Gwadar will increase job opportunities for Pakistani
people and help in economic development through transit trade fee and foreign exchange
reserves. Gwadar will boost up co-operation of Pakistan with other countries in oil and energy
sector. Tourism, trade, hotel industry and state revenue will increase which will strengthened
countrys economy. Gwadar offers tax free investments and trade, thus attracting large number of
foreign investors to open new development projects and economic plans(IPRI,2015)
Gwadar port and Chinas Interest
The China Pakistan Economic Corridor is of huge significance, it runs through one of the most
important and vital geostrategic locations in South Asia. Gwadar port is one of Chinas String of
Pearls planned by China in Central, South and South East Asia to expand its political and
economic influence and get these regions in its grip.

Source: http://thelondonpost.net/china-pakistan-economic-corridor-gwadar-port/
China makes huge gains once Gwadar port is fully functioning, its previous shipping route
passed through the Strait of Malacca, taking 45 days to reach destinations in Europe via the
Middle East. Once the CPEC reaches completion, it will take Chinese shipments just 10 days to
reach the same places. The Malacca route also carried risks of a blockade by United States
Pacific Command if hostilities peak so the CPEC is a dream comes true for China in all its
aspects. China is working on a very large scale, building Gwadar city and bringing state of the art
speed-trains and motorways. Chinese Ambassador Sun Weidong recently reiterated Chinas
support to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and said that the project will be completed at
every cost.
CPEC and Baloch concerns
The Baloch people see the CPEC as very disadvantageous, determental and inauspicious for
them their interests and their future. They saw the land grab that began and they feared that
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would completely change the demographic balance by putting them out on a limb (dailytimes,
2015)
Gwadar port and its influence on the other ports in the region
Gwadar port will directly affect Dubai port, which will lose 70% business once Gwadar becomes
fully functional. It will also affect Chahbahar port, as Gwadar is the worlds largest deepwater
sea port where ships of large tonnage can also anchor. A proper spanner in the works was when
suddenly this same coterie started saying the route had been changed to mostly within Punjab.
The government reiterated that no change had taken place, after the whole anti- CPEC club went
wild on print and television media. In the past, an insurgency had been funded by India and the
some Arab countries to stop the construction of Gwadar, lately it has greatly diminished as nearly
a thousand rebels have given up arms and vowed to mend their ways Foreign countries used
these rebels to scare off investors and developers who were working with the Pakistani
government, such as the Chinese, to sabotage Gwadar.

Source: http://thelondonpost.net/china-pakistan-economic-corridor-gwadar-port/
Gwadar port has the influential characteristics due to its geo-strategic importance as the single
port connects different regions and provides shortest trade routes.

Summary
Pakistan is blessed with the Gwadar port which has significant importance in the world political
economy as it connects the different regions and facilitates them with the shortest sea trade route.
The most important significant of Gwadar port is that it is one of the world deepest sea port
which is more beneficial for the trade through sea route. It has also oil reserves. Gwadar port is
the economic hub for Pakistan and it will build Pakistan economy. China has great economic
interests with Gwadar as it provides china to complete its Strings of Pearls which connects Chine
with the CARS and Middle Eastern countries for its oil needs. It also provides China with the
sense of security in contrast to the Strait of Hurmoz and Strait of Malacca which can be blocked
any time for china. The construction and survival of Gwadar port is not as easy as it has to meet
the challenges in their way like the role of external players who are affecting with its
construction, Baloch insurgency and concerns of Baloch people on the CPEC.
This is important to note that the Government of Pakistan, keeping in view its utmost
significance in the area, has declared Gwadar as a Duty Free Port and a Free Economic Zone.
In fact, Gwadar enjoys the status of a third Deep Sea Port of Pakistan which has a special
significance with reference to trade links with Central Asian Countries, Persian Gulf, East Africa,
United Arab Emirates and North Western India.

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Findings
Benefits for Pakistan

It will strengthened Pakistan economy by providing new projects and incorporating foreign
investment

It will reduce the unemployment across the country

It connects Pakistan with the CARS and Middle East with the shortest trade route

It will make Pakistan sufficient in its energy needs

The relations with neighboring countries will be improved as the port connects different
regions and promote trade between them

Benefits for China

The Malacca dilemma of China will overcome after the construction of Gwadar port

China will able to connects itself with the CARS and Middle East with shortest sea route and
fulfill its energy demands

China will also influence in the region as it has 40 years of Gwadar lease

Chinas dream strings of pearls will become in reality and it will rule the region

China will get more benefit out of Gwadar port rather than Pakistan

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Suggestions
Pakistan should incorporate with the Baloch people to overcome their concerns on Gwadar port
and make them part of the CPEC. It should put forward its economic interest first rather than
chinas interests.
Having looked at the Gwadar Port project in Baluchistan through the lenses of seemingly
timeless geo-strategic theories, it has become clear that it holds a supreme geographical location
on the Eurasian Rimland, which cannot be ignored by any power eager to control the destinies
of the world.
Moreover, its close proximity to the Persian Gulf also constitutes a tremendous strategic
opportunity for a rising Middle Kingdom, determined to break out of its dependence on the good
will of the United States Navy, which jealously guards the Strait of Malacca and could tighten its
iron fist around it at any time. In this context, the 46 billion dollars, which China has recently
pledged to invest in energy-related infrastructure in Pakistan, almost speak for themselves when
it comes to the importance the Peoples Republic is attaching to the project.
Gwadar, it has become clear, is much more than just a port, but should rather be seen as a symbol
for a much wider geopolitical struggle, which seems destined to define the 21 st century. Drawing
on this, the paper has also demonstrated how the other big players in this New Great Game,
namely the United States and India, find themselves fighting shoulder to shoulder in a shadowy
fight against greater Chinese influence in such a critical area of the world.
My idea in this research work is that china will get more benefits from Gwadar port.

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References
Ijaz, A. (2015). Significance of Gwadar Port.
Khan, F.-u.-R. a. (2015). Pakistan-China relations. Lahore: Dost publications.
Malik, H. Y. (2012). Strategic Importance of Gwadar port. Journal of Political Studies, 57-69.
Market, M. (2015). www.e-ir.info. Retrieved from e.ir.
Mir, N. (2014). Gwadar on the Global Chessbord. Karachi: Frozesons.
Siddiqi, S. (2015). China Paksitan Economic Corridor: Gwadar Port. London, United Kingdom.

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