Pak-china problems

Usually it is listened that china and Pakistan are very good friend but now-a-days the situation seems different because, beyond the media grabbing headlines and the over-inflated speeches by politiciansPakistans relationship with China has reached a crescendo and is unlikely to progress any further. In contrast, Chinas relationship with India has vastly improved and the two adversaries are exploring numerous partnerships to augment their newfound relationship. Even the Chinese president 13 agreements with India. these included protection of bilateral investment, trade of iron ore and the export of rice, agriculture cooperation, educational assistance, and the conservation of cultural heritage. Nevertheless the most obvious improvement in relations has been in bilateral trade. On the energy front the two nations instead of competing with each other are cooperating to meet the energy demands of their burgeoning economies. Indian and Chinese companies can be found collaborating on oil and gas projects in Iran, Syria, Sudan, Kazakhstan, South America and elsewhere in the world. While some of these joint ventures maybe small the trend supports the notion that China prefers to engage India over the acquisition and protection of energy resources. Commenting on the need of both countries to play an active role in shaping the international energy order, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Hu said in a joint statement: There is the need for an international energy order, and for global energy systems to take into account the needs of both countries based on a stable, predictable, secure and clean energy future. In this context, the international civilian nuclear cooperation should be advanced through innovative and forward-looking approaches while safeguarding the effectiveness of international non-proliferation principles. On the nuclear front China has offered assistance to bolster Indias nuclear energy for civilian purposes. The nuclear cooperation on offer is on more or less equivalent to what China has in place with Pakistan. China and India have also made strides on defence matters. This includes port calls, joint search-andrescue exercises and defence exchanges. Last year this relationship was upgraded when Beijing and New Delhi signed a memorandum of understanding on defence cooperation. Another reason that has persuaded China to enhance its engagement with India is the Congress Party and her allies supplanting BJP as the governing coalition. Distrust of America runs deep in both Congress and her partners. China senses these sentiments and has exploited them to her advantage. Whereas, Chinas rapprochement with India is cognisant of anti-American nuance within American-Indian relations, no such differences pervade Pak-US

relations. By all accounts Pakistan is a subordinate state to America, and this not only complicates Pakistans relationship with China, but hinders Beijing from enhancing its ties with Islamabad. Resurgence of Islam The resurgence of political Islam across the Muslim world has forced China to explore relations with non-Islamic countries. Since September 11, China has sought to expand security cooperation with Russia, Israel and India as a means of countering political Islam, in particular the re-emergence of the Caliphate. A few years ago Russia and China invited India to discuss this very prospect. All of these factors have contributed to Chinas expansion of ties with India. And If the present trends continue then Sino-Pakistan relations will quickly degenerate and Pakistan will be bereft of its only friend in the international arena China. Solution: Divert the attention of china towards Pakistan. Make allies and agreements that are beneficial for both the countries. Do more trade with china because in this way china and Pakistan would come closer and their friendship can be saved.

Pak China Relations

Economic relations: Year 2006 marks the completion of 55 years of cordial and smooth relations between Pakistan and China. Over all these years, the two countries have been able to evolve exemplary cooperative relationship at multiple levels, especially in the political, defence and diplomatic arena. However, Pakistan and China have not been able to make substantial progress in their economic relations until recently. At the dawn of 21st century, both the countries realised the missing economic dimension in their evolving strategic relationship. The two countries acknowledged the fact that in order to sustain a comprehensive cooperative relationship, substantive economic cooperation, matching with the level of political and strategic cooperation, was absolutely necessary. Economic cooperation would not only consolidate the comprehensive bilateral relations but also help in achieving common aspirations for development, peace and stability in the region. In the last few years, the two governments have convened a

number of high-level conferences/forums, inaugurated by their respective leadership in Pakistan and China, to promote economic cooperation thereby exhibiting interest, resolve and patronage to the private sector business community of the two countries. Pakistan and China now have created a clear and shared vision of the direction of their economic relations. Clarity in the direction has been achieved due to the frequent exchange of ideas at the highlevel consultations between the leadership of the two countries. However, the results of evolving economic cooperation would only be realised after the successful implementation of the agreements reached at various levels on trade and investment. Recent Developments in Pak-China Economic Relations Since President Musharraf assumed power in October 1999, the economic dimension in Pakistan-China relations has come to the forefront. As a result of his emphasis on economic cooperation during his China visit in January 2000, economic relations slowly began to show signs of improvement, in terms of trade and investments, in the following years. The Chinese side also positively reciprocated in enhancing economic activity between the two countries. However, amongst other reasons, one of the reasons for improvement in trade and investment from China is the Chinese governments persuasion of its statecontrolled enterprises to import Pakistani products in order to improve the trade balance and make more project specific investments. The private sectors engagement, which would be the main engine for growth in bilateral economic relations in the future, still is at a low level. Traditionally, throughout in its trade relations with China, Pakistan has had a chronic trade deficit. It is primarily because China is competing in almost all the major sectors of Pakistans potential export areas, which ironically happened to be very limited. Secondly, Pakistani business community remained contented with their established export destinations i.e., US and the Western Europe, and hardly made serious efforts either to diversify the export base or to explore other areas and regions for enhancing the volume of their exports. This mental fixation with the Western markets and non-innovative export approach has constantly been undermining countrys export potential. The then Chinese Prime Minister, Zhu Rongji, during his visit to Pakistan in May 2001, urged the two sides to boost cooperation in agriculture, infrastructure, information technology and other fields under the principle of reciprocity and mutual benefit for achieving common prosperity. 1 President Musharraf endorsed his views by suggesting, this strong relationship needs to be further cemented in the future through economic and commercial bonds. 2 As a result, during the visit of Zhu Rongji, on May 12, Pakistan and China signed six Agreements and one Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). At that time,

Chinese financial assistance for agreed projects was estimated to be worth over one billion dollars. This signing of agreements can be termed as the first round of some substantive initiative for expanding economic cooperation. The agreements signed included; Economic and Technical Cooperation, Tourism Cooperation, Lease Agreement on Saindak Copper-Gold Project, Supply of Locomotives to Pakistan Railways, Supply of Passenger Coaches to Pakistan Railways, White Oil Pipeline and MoU between Chinas ZTE and Pakistan Telecommunications Co. Ltd. Under the Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation, the Chinese Government agreed to provide a grant of 50 million Yuan for the promotion of economic and technical cooperation between the two countries. Under the Lease Agreement on Saindak Copper-Gold Project, the Metallurgical Construction Corporation of China (MCC) was given a ten-year lease to mine and process copper and gold ores at Saindak. Under another agreement for Supply of locomotives to Pakistan Railways, the Chinese firm, Dongfang Electric Corporation, was to provide 69 locomotives to Pakistan Railways under a suppliers credit. China National Machinery Import and Export Corporation (CMC) were to supply 175 passenger coaches to the Pakistan Railways under a suppliers credit. Agreement on the White Oil Pipeline was signed between the Pak-Arab Pipeline Company and the China Petroleum Engineering Construction Corporation (CPECC), the latter was to supply equipment and materials for the construction of a pipeline to transfer petroleum products from Karachi to Mahmood Kot. Under the MoU between ZTE and Pakistan Telecommunications Co. Ltd., the Chinese company ZTE will provide financing of US $ 100 million for the manufacture and installation of digitally-switched lines to the PTCL. 3 In addition to these agreements, the most important aspect of increasing economic cooperation was that Zhu Rongji reiterated his support for the Gwader deep seaport and the Mekran coastal highway projects. He said, These projects are very important for the development of Pakistan. We will fully support these projects and provide help in this regard. Gwader port, overlooking the Straits of Hormuz, is strategically located with open sea-lanes to all directions. Almost a year later, on March 22, 2002, General Musharraf and the Chinese Vice Premier, Wu Bang Guo, attended the ground-breaking ceremony of the Gwader sea-port. The phase one of Gwader port has been successfully completed in April 2005, and work on the second phase is under progress. In the following years there has been a regular exchange of high-level visits between the two countries and each visit added new dimensions and areas for economic cooperation. For example, President Musharrafs visit in November 2003, resulted in signing of a Joint Declaration on Direction of Bilateral Relations. It was in fact a road-map determining the direction and scope of

overall Pak-China bilateral relations in the future. It clearly laid more emphasis on expanding economic cooperation, while maintaining to continue cooperation in other areas and institutionalising mechanisms for consolidation of all-round relationship. In December 2004, during Prime Minister, Shaukat Azizs visit to China, the two countries signed seven agreements in trade, communication and energy sector and drew up a framework for greater cooperation. These agreements envisaged increase in bilateral trade, further movement on preferential trade agreement, setting up of joint agro-based industries and increased Chinese investment in Pakistan. Pakistan announced Free Market Economy (FME) status for China. Also, China committed to provide $150 million for Chashma nuclear power plant (phase II). It was part of the preferential buyers credit of $500 million to be provided by Chinese government for investment through Chinese companies. In the high level official meetings, both sides expressed keen desire for further expanding bilateral cooperation in all directions. One of the core objectives of Prime Minister Shaukat Azizs visit was to persuade Chinese side to export capital to Pakistan apart from goods. He was of the opinion that Pakistan has given a new direction to its relations with China by laying greater focus on economic interaction and going for a win-win situation. 4 Chinas investment in Pakistan at present stands at US$4 billion plus, and at least 114 Chinese projects are underway.5 The Chinese side also agreed that the Joint Economic Commission should review soon, Pakistans proposal to set up a Pakistan-China Joint Investment Company and establishment of a Joint Infrastructure Development Fund for investment in Pakistan. During the visit, Prime Minister Aziz also laid the foundation stone of much awaited Pakistan consulate in Shanghai the financial capital of China. Analysing Pak-China Economic Relations Pakistan-China economic relations at present can be termed as evolving and getting stronger day by day. Bilateral trade is surging, investment is increasing, and the number of development projects and joint ventures is also increasing. In the past, China has made valuable contribution to Pakistans economic development, particularly, in the development of infrastructure and setting up of basic industries. Presently, Pakistan and China are cooperating closely in the development of Gwadar Port, which would help economic activity in Pakistan and provide important access route to the sea for Chinas Western regions, Afghanistan and Central Asian states. A large number of important projects such as the up gradation of Karakoram Highway, Thar Coal Mining, up-gradation of Pakistan Railways and Power Generation Projects both nuclear and nonnuclear are some of the examples of this expanding economic cooperation. Chinese support for Pakistan in economic sphere is being considered as integral to Pakistans development.11 Trends in economic cooperation between China and Pakistan can be gauged from the incremental increase in activities in areas such as, trade, investments and development projects.

Pakistan-China Trade Relations Since the early 1950, Pakistan and China have entered in trade relations, however, a formal Trade Agreement was signed in January 1963. Later, in October 1982, the two countries established Pakistan-China Joint Committee on Economy, Trade and Technology. Trade between China and Pakistan had generally been conducted under 1963 Trade Agreement, according to which, both countries had granted MFN status to each other. Pakistan had, at that time, multi-modal trade with China i.e. barter trade and cash trade, however, at present, trade with China is conducted almost entirely on cash basis in convertible currency. There has been an incremental growth in Pak-China trade in the last few years. The table given below shows the volume of bilateral trade between China (excluding Hong Kong) and Pakistan between 1999-2006.

YEAR 1999-2000 2000-2001 2001-2002 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05

EXPORTS 180.326 303.548 228.631 244.591 288.259 354.092

IMPORTS 471.527 524.138 575.219 839.056 1153.470 1842.775 1331.331

TOTAL 651.853 827.686 803.85 1083.64 1441.729 2196.867 1555.098

BALANCE (-)291.201 (-)220.59 (-)346.588 (-)594.465 (-) 865.211 (-) 1488.683 (-) 1107.564

2005-06(July-Dec) 223.767

Source; Ministry of Commerce, Government of Pakistan Although the two-way trade has increased but, the volume of trade is still low. Traditionally, the trade balance has always been titled in favour of China, except for a short while in 1952, owing to Chinas involvement in the Korean War. 12 For decades Chinas constant increase in exports to Pakistan resulted in a persistent and growing trade imbalance. The main items of Pakistans imports from China are machinery and parts, iron and steel manufactures, sugar, chemical materials, chemical elements and medical and pharmaceutical products. The main items of Pakistans exports to China are cotton fabrics, cotton yarn, petroleum and its products, fish and its preparations, leather, fruits and vegetables. Unfortunately,

mix of Pakistans products exported to China is very narrow. Almost around 80% of its exports consist of cotton yarn and fabric. Pakistans exports to China lack diversity and both the countries are competitors in the textile sector. Diversification of exports from Pakistan in the non-traditional items will lead to minimising the trade imbalance. Another important factor of our trade deficit with China is growing exports of Chinese products to Pakistan. Since these are more economical, businessmen are inclined to buy more from China. Pakistan therefore, should be looking at China not simply as an export market but as a primary source for import of capital goods and industrial raw material. Pak china investment relations Pakistan and China signed on February 12, 1989, a Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) that encourages promotion of bilateral investment both in China and Pakistan; covers all kinds of investments; protects investors and investments of both the countries against discrimination and expropriation; seeks fair and equitable treatment; and provides dispute resolution mechanism. The overall Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into Pakistan has risen by over 600 percent in the last five years. 15 However, the Chinese share in the overall FDI is still very low. Pakistan has been able to introduce and implement investor friendly policies as a result of which FDI has increased. Pakistans investment policy is very liberal which offers all economic sectors for FDI. It provides equal treatment to local and foreign investors and allows 100 percent equity to foreign investors with no government sanction required. Full remittance of profits, capital, dividends royalty, technical and franchise fee is allowed. Complete legal cover is provided through Foreign Private Investment (Promotion & Protection) Act 1976, Protection of Economic Reforms Act 1992, and Foreign Currency Accounts (Protection) Ordinance 2001.16 Similarly, the Chinese government encourages foreign investment in the Chinese market, and has continuously liberalised and expanded the fields for investment. In recent years, China has liberalised further the restrictions imposed on the proportion of foreign equity in investment projects and opened new sectors to foreign investment. The newlyopened sectors include, telecommunications, urban water supply and drainage, construction and operation of gas and heat distribution network, which all were previously prohibited from any foreign investment. China has also opened further such service sectors as banking, insurance, distribution, trading right, tourism, telecommunications, transportation, accounting, auditing and legal services. Also, there are a number of laws protecting the interests of foreign investments.17

In recent years, China and Pakistan have witnessed steady growth in mutual investments, however, the scale of investments is still small. According to the Board of Investments statistics, out of the total FDI of 1524 million dollar, that came in Pakistan during July 2004-June 2005, the Chinese share was only US$ 443,763. By 2004, the Chinese enterprises approved or recorded by the Ministry of Commerce in Pakistan totaled 34, with Chinese contractual investment of 104.11 million USD. In 2005, the number of registered Chinese companies in Pakistan reportedly grew more than fifty. At present, Chinas investment in Pakistan (public& private) mainly covers the areas such as: Gwader port construction, exploration of coal and other resources, nuclear power stations, hydroelectric power stations, ship-building, machinery, infrastructure, construction agriculture and manufacturing. Pakistan has invested in 96 projects in China, with a contractual value of US$ 71.48 million, and an actual investment of US$ 17 million. 18 Details of the investments made by the Pakistan side in China are not available. Mutual investment between China and Pakistan Pakistans investment in China (10,000 USD) Number of projects Contractual value Actual investment Chinas investment in Pakistan (10,000 USD) Number of projects Contractual value 2003 4 930 2004 3 7344 By 2004 34 10411 2003 19 1949 343 2004 21 3210 454 By 2004 96 7148 1700

Source: Chinese Feasibility Study on Free Trade Agreement (March 15, 2005)

Opportunities and Challenges for Pakistan-China Economic Relations Opportunities:

The overall geo-strategic environment for regional cooperation is gradually becoming more favourable. Pakistans entry into Shanghai Cooperation Organisation as an Observer and Chinas entry into SAARC as an Observer would allow Pakistan-China bilateral economic relations to grow with a regional perspective. Also, there is a convergence of economic interests at the strategic level, especially in area of energy security and communication networks. China has opened up its Western region adjacent to Pakistan for trade and investment in order to reduce the economic disparity between its developed coastal regions and other underdeveloped areas. Once developed, this region would be a hub for economic activity between China, Central Asia and South Asia. Pakistans desire to become a corridor of trade and energy for China and Central Asia by linking Gwadar through upgraded-KKH with these areas entails promising prospects. Pakistans economy has been maintaining a high growth rate in the last five years, and it is hoped that it would continue to maintain a high growth rate in the coming years. The growth in manufacturing sector, increase in exports and FDI, as a result of stable macroeconomic environment shows good prospects for the investors interest in Pakistan. Pakistan welcomes the Chinese investors from the private sector to come forward and invest in Pakistan. The possibilities of export related Joint ventures are expanding. China as part of its domestic reform process is aiming at raising the living standard of its rural population and increasing their purchasing power. The emerging Chinese domestic market offers huge potential for Pakistani exporters, especially in areas of agricultural, aquatic and leather products. According to the Chinese Feasibility Study on FTA, The Pakistani commodities that have the greatest potential to be exported to China are tropical fruits. These fruits are widely planted in Pakistan, and China has already finished quarantine and inspection on Pakistani mangoes and citrus. After zero tariffs are levied, in North-west China, Pakistani fruits will enjoy certain advantages in both quality and price compared with the fruits grown in Southern China. Pakistan is also rich in fishery resources. With the adjustment of polices on fishery industry and the improvement of technology, the potential of Pakistans fishery industry will be unleashed.

After the zero tariff policy is adopted, Pakistan will see a rise in its export to China.

Similarly, the potential for Chinese business to investment in Pakistan are enormous. At present the sectors identified for investment from China, includes energy-related projects, telecommunications, infrastructural projects, automobiles, motorcycles, tractors, air conditioners, refrigerators, televisions, mining, food processing, agriculture and construction. The implementation on the Early Harvest Programme (EHP) from January 2006 would facilitate growth in trade.

Challenges:

Security environment in Pakistan, especially in the two of its western provinces is deterrence for Chinese private sector investment. The three unfortunate incidents in which Chinese workers got killed have negatively impacted on the potential Chinese investors. Ensuring the security of foreign workers is a serious challenge. China is fast integrating into the global economic system and its trade, investment and economic cooperation is now increasingly being directed by market forces rather than state planning as it used to be in the past. Corporations and industries are making their decisions simply on commercial viability and profitability of a particular project rather than directions or instructions from the Government. Engaging the Chinese private sector on long-term basis is important for sustainable economic relations. Also, making Pakistani private sector more innovative and pro-active is essential to produce any tangible results without which we may even lose our current level of trade to more competitive and aggressive market forces. We do not see it happening in a big way. Although. the government in Pakistan is patronizing the private sector and the role of public sector is being curtailed to creating enabling environment for the private sector endeavours. While the trade volume with China is on the increase, Pakistans exports does not show as sharp a rise as Pakistans imports from China. One major reason of increased imports from China is the supply of machinery and equipment for recent projects agreed between Pakistan and China like the Railways, Gwadar Port and Hydro Power Project etc. Moreover, a number of Chinese companies have won infrastructure project contracts in Pakistan through international bidding. All the machinery and equipment supplied by these companies for the projects comes from China. This trend has led to a phenomenal increase in Chinas exports to Pakistan.

Pakistans exports are centred mainly on cotton yarn and cotton fabric. However, there is an increasing trend in the export of seafood and leather. This potential can only be realised by revamping the processing technologies and producing internationally acceptable quality. While Pakistans most imports from China are value added, its more than 85 percent exports to China are raw materials, such as cotton yarn and fabric, chrome and copper ores. For example copper and gold from Saindak Copper-Gold Project is exported to China in semi-finished form and re-exported to Pakistan after adding value. We must add value to our exportable commodities in the country. It can be in the shape of joint ventures with the Chinese companies. Given Pakistans narrow base for exportable commodities more than 75 percent of our exports originate from four items, namely cotton, rice, leather and sports goods. A diversification in exportable commodities and a proactive export policy of Pakistan could enhance the volume of trade and also rectify to a degree the trade imbalance. It will not be possible for Pakistan to increase its exports to China without diversifying exportable commodities. Pakistan should seek Chinese investment for projects aimed at export diversification. Chinese investment should be geared more to export oriented projects and less for the domestic requirements. Also Pakistan should seek Chinese investment in the manufacturing sector and not only the assembly activities. The Chinese companies involved in electronics, home appliances, automobile, motorcycles etc. are only the screwdriver assembly lines. Most of the parts are being imported from China and the companies enjoy a tax-break. Such activities neither create job-opportunities in the local market nor creates manufacturing base in the country. It is more beneficial for the Chinese companies than for the Pakistani economy. Another challenge to sustain progressive economic relationship is to establish best trade practices. It has been reported that the machinery being imported from China is usually under-invoiced in order to evade taxes. Such practices can be curtailed with the joint efforts by the two countries. Another challenge, for which both the countries have to work together, is the unregistered trade. There are huge quantities of a wide variety of items, which are being smuggled into Pakistan. Pakistani markets seemed to be flooded with such commodities. Pakistan and China need to establish the best business practices. Here the case in point is the supply of locomotives to Pakistan Railways by Chinese firm Dongfang Electric Corporation, and passenger coaches by

China Machinery Import and Export Corporation (CMC) under an agreement signed in 2001. The engines were found faulty and substandard; the coaches were supplied at a higher price than offered by the same company recently. The media highlighted this. Such kind of dealings creates negative impact on the bilateral relations as well.

Slow implementation on the agreements signed between the two governments does not reflect positively. Timely implementation on the decisions is a major challenge for, first building, and than sustaining momentum of the progressive economic cooperation.

All the challenges to Pakistan-China economic relations can effectively be turned into opportunities through comprehensive medium and long-term collaborative joint efforts. The things are moving in the right direction. The first session of Pakistan and China Joint Study for Economic and Trade Cooperation was held on May 20, 2006. The two sides have agreed to complete the study within one year. Based on this study, to initiate concrete action plan for uplifting the economic relations would be possible. The future of Pak-China economic relations seems to be promising.

MEGA PROJECTS
Megaprojects include bridges, tunnels, highways, railways, airports, seaports, power plants, dams, wastewater projects, Special Economic Zones (SEZ), oil and natural gas extraction projects, public buildings, information technology systems, aerospace projects, and weapons systems. Karakoram Highway

N35 (Karakoram Highway) Length 1300 km / 806 km in Pakistan, in China 494 km 2

Lanes

Direction Start

north-south Hasan Abdal

Important Hasanabdal, destinations Abbottabad, Thakot, Chilas, Gilgit, Karimabad, Sust, Khunjerab Pass, Kashgar End Kashgar Construction 1966 - 1986 dates Highway junctions Owner Operator N5, N15 NHA, SASAC NHA

the Karakoram Highway (KKH) is the highest paved international road in the world. It connects China and Pakistan across the Karakoram mountain range, through the Khunjerab Pass, at an altitude of 4,693 m/15,397 ft. as confirmed by both SRTM and multiple GPS readings. It connects China's Xinjiang region with Pakistan's Northern Areas and also serves as a popular tourist attraction. It is also referred to as National Highway 35 or N35. Due to its high elevation and the difficult conditions in which it was constructed, it is also referred to as the "Ninth Wonder of the World."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karakoram_Highway JF-17 Thunder From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation, search JF-17 FC-1 Fierce Dragon Thunder

A JF-17 flypast performance in Islamabad, Pakistan. Role Multi-role combat aircraft

Manufacturer Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation Pakistan Aeronautical Complex First flight Introduced Status 25 August 2003 12 March 2007 Under serial production and in active service with Pakistan Air Force

Primary user Pakistan Air Force Produced In China: June 2007 present In Pakistan: January 2008 present US$15-20 (estimated) million

Unit cost

The PAC JF-17 Thunder (Urdu: ), also known in China as the Chengdu FC1 Fierce Dragon (Chinese: ; pinyin: Xio Lng),[1] is a light-weight multi-role combat aircraft jointly developed by Chengdu Aircraft Corporation of China and

Pakistan Aeronautical Complex of Pakistan. The "JF" and "FC" designations stand for "Joint Fighter" and "Fighter China" respectively. The first two aircraft were delivered to the Pakistan Air Force on 12 March 2007.[2] The JF-17/FC-1 is designed to be a cost-effective fighter which can meet the tactical and strategic needs of air forces of developing countries. On 22 January 2008, Pakistan started limited serial production of the aircraft at the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, Kamra. Full-fledged production of JF-17 is expected to start from 2009 after completing testing and avionics evaluation. [3] [4][5] JF-17 Thunder: The JF-17 is being built by China's Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation (CAC) and Pakistan's Pakistan Aeronautical Complex. The project is expected to cost around US$500 million, divided equally between China and Pakistan. The project is supported by China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation for the Chinese side. Each individual aircraft is expected to have a fly-away cost of around US$815 million . Initial development of JF-17 is believed to have been completed in a period of four years,[6] although later improvements to the aircraft design did take up more time. Pakistan has announced that it has 150 aircraft on order, but this may well go up to 275.[7] The JF-17 will replace Pakistan's MiG-21-derived Chengdu F-7, Nanchang A-5 and Dassault Mirage III/Mirage V aircraft currently in service. Azerbaijan[8] and Zimbabwe have already placed orders and eight other countries have expressed interest in purchasing the JF-17 at a recent military exhibitio n in Pakistan, according to an official.

Hongdu JL-8 From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (Redirected from K-8 Karakorum) Jump to: navigation, search JL-8 K-8 Karakorum

A K-8 Karakorum Trainer of Air Force of Zimbabwe at Ysterplaat Airshow, Cape Town Role Jet Light attack Hongdu Pakistan Complex trainer

Manufacturer

Aeronautical

First flight Introduced Status

21 November, 1990 1994 Operational

Primary users PLA Air Force, Pakistan Air Force Egyptian Air Force Number built Unit cost 500+[1] 3 - 3.5 million $[1]

The Hongdu JL-8 (or Nanchang JL-8), also known as the K-8 Karakorum, is a two-seat intermediate jet trainer and light attack aircraft built in joint-cooperation between the People's Republic of China (China Nanchang Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation) and Pakistan (Pakistan Aeronautical Complex). The contractor for

this plane is the Hongdu Aviation Industry Corporation. Export versions are designated K-8 Karakorum, after the mountain range that sepa Gwadar Deep Sea Port: Gwadar was once a fishing village on the Arabian Sea coast in Balochistan province and some 72 kilometres from the Iranian border. It is situated about 400km from the Strait of Hormuz, a major conduit for global oil supplies. More than 13 million bbl/d of oil pass through the Strait. It is strategically located between three increasingly important regions: the oil-rich Middle East, heavily populated South Asia and the economically emerging and resource-laden region of Central Asia. The present town of Gwadar, Pakistan, lies on the Arabian Sea coast about 30 miles (48 km) to the east of Gwadar Bay. Gwadar's location and history have given it a unique blend of cultures. The Arabic influence upon Gwadar is strong as a consequence of the Omani era and the close proximity of other Arab-majority regions. The legacy of the Omani slave trade is observed in the population by the presence of residents which can trace their descent from the African slaves who were trafficked through the town (en route to destinations in the Muslim Far East. The area also has a remarkable religious diversity, being home to not only Sunni Muslims, but also to groups of Christians, Hindus, Parsis, and various minorities. Pakistan identified Gwadar as a port site in 1964. However, it was only in 2001 that significant steps were taken with the help of Chinese assistance in the construction and development of the deep-sea port. The total cost of the project is estimated at US$1.16 billion, of which China has contributed about $198 million for the first phase for construction of three multipurpose ship berths. China has also invested another $200 million toward building a highway connecting Gwadar port with Karachi.

The 45,000 acres Gwadar master plan encompasses development of an airport, industrial zones, export processing zones, beach development, resorts, housing facilities and all civic amenities over the next 50 years. The over $2 billion Gwadar project - which strategic analysts call "a pearl in the Pakistani waters" will allow berthing facilities to many a CAR countries and even China, which is assisting Pakistan in a big way to develop this port. The completion of Gwadar port would make it the deepest port of Pakistan and a trans-shipment port for the region. This is Pakistan's largest infrastructure project since independence . Funds from non-resident Pakistanis, especially those working in the Gulf, have come in. With Chinese help, it has been completed in five years, which is really fast. Read More ...

In 2007, the government of Pakistan handed over port operations to PSA Singapore for 25 years, and gave it the status of a Tax Free Port for the following 40 years. There is also money invested into the port by the People's Republic of China. The strategic PRC plan to be engaged in many places along oil and gas roads is evident. To accommodate the tourists and investors from all over the world, Zaver Pearl Continental Hotel Gwadar, a Five Star Hotel situated on a dominating cliff (Kohe-Batil), overlooking the port, city and surrounded by azure Arabian waters has been built. The hotel is equipped with all those features which are mark of the Hashoo Group. Beside 120 guest rooms, the hotel has Business center with three secretarial offices and two meeting rooms, fully equipped with modern communication and audio visual equipments, dinning room / bar facility for 55 guests. rates China and Pakistan. . SILK ROAD: The Silk Routes (collectively known as the 'Silk Road') were not only conduits for silk, but also for many other products. They were very important paths for cultural and technological transmission that linked traders, merchants, pilgrims, missionaries, soldiers, nomads and urban dwellers among China, India, Persia and Mediterranean countries for almost 3,000 years.[1] Extending over 4,000 miles, the routes enabled people to transport trade goods, especially luxuries such as slaves, silk, satins and other fine fabrics, musk, other perfumes, spices and medicines, jewels, glassware and even rhubarb, while simultaneously serving as a conduit for the spread of knowledge, ideas, cultures, and diseases[2] between different parts of the world (China, India, Asia Minor and the Mediterranean). Trade on the Silk Road was a significant factor in the development of the great civilizations of China, India, Egypt, Persia, Arabia, and Rome, and in several respects helped lay the foundations for the modern world. Although the term the Silk Road implies a continuous journey, very few who traveled the route traversed it from end to end. For the most part, goods were transported by a series of agents on varying routes and were traded in the bustling mercantile markets of the oasis towns.[2] The Central Asian part of the trade route was expanded around 114 B.C. by the Han Dynasty,[3] largely through the missions and explorations of Zhang Qian,[4] but earlier trade routes across the continents already existed. In the late Middle Ages, transcontinental trade over the land routes of the Silk Road declined as sea trade increased.[5]

Though silk was certainly the major trade item from China, many other products were traded, and various technologies, religions and philosophies as well as the bubonic plague (the so-called 'Black Death') also travelled along the Silk Routes It is amazing to see a fabric i.e. Silk playing a vital role in the history of this world. Its trade became the link between the East and the West around 100 BC through land route, which lasted until the 15th Century. Then Ships were invented and travelling through the sea became possible. Traders used to export and sell several exotic products but Silk was the most important thus giving its name to the whole route, which is still remembered as The Silk Route and much of which has survived even to this day. The original track started from Xian in China and skirting Gobi Desert to Dunhuang, where it leads to two destinations; via Taklamakan Desert to Kashgar and through Yarkand to Kashgar. From Kashgar it bifurcated in different directions to Samarkand in Central Asia crossing the Pamirs and to the sub continent crossing savage Karakoram Mountains. As it became popular, the route was used by the invaders, raiders, explorers, hunters, missionaries and philosophers.. Buddhism, Islam and Christianity came to this region through the Silk Route.