Karachi murder threatens to deter China's $50bn projects in Pakistan
Last week, Chen Zhu, MD of the Karachi unit of Shanghai-based Cosco Shipping Lines Co, was shot nine times near Zamzama Park, an upmarket area near diplomatic consulates. The murder now threatens to derail Pakistan's relations with China at a time when the former is increasingly dependent on the latter amid dwindling ties with the US. For China, projects worth $50bn are at stake.
Gunmen opened fire on Chen Zhu in broad daylight
Unidentified gunmen opened fire on Chen Zhu on February 5 when he was near Zamzama Park to buy groceries. On the national holiday, the MD of Cosco, which has been operating in Pakistan since 1994, had relinquished his police escort. He died later in hospital.
Last year, two Chinese teachers were kidnapped and killed
Experts say the incident in one of the safest districts in Karachi was a reminder of the lack of security Pakistan is infamous for. Last year, the IS kidnapped and killed two Chinese teachers from Balochistan, which had hit diplomatic relations briefly. Such incidents don't bode well for the 20,000 Chinese nationals that have moved to Pakistan recently, especially businessmen, to tap rising opportunities.
China has its own fears about insecurity in Pakistan
Beijing has a lot at stake too. It has invested over $50bn in infrastructure projects across Pakistan as part of the "Belt and Road" program. In Balochistan, Beijing is working on a new port. The number of Pakistanis studying Mandarin has also jumped since the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was signed in 2014. Another fear for China is Islamic terrorists linking with Xinjiang separatists.
Beijing directs Islamabad to take necessary steps at the earliest
Beijing has become increasingly vocal over such incidents. In December, the Chinese embassy in Islamabad warned of imminent attacks on Chinese nationals. After Chen's murder, it directed Pakistan to ensure protection of its nationals in the country.
But does Pakistan have the capacity to satisfy China?
Pakistan is struggling to oblige China. It has a 15,000-strong workforce for protection of CPEC projects, but extending the same to Chinese nationals outside CPEC isn't easy. Experts have warned that Pakistan needs Beijing's support right now, especially after the US cut $1.15bn in military aid. Last week, Business Recorder, a leading Pakistani daily, warned that "Chinese support must not be taken for granted."
