China has dispatched the first of four “most advanced” warships it is making for Pakistan in the midst of enriching security and financial ties between the two united countries. The news comes as both the nations are facing escalations with their common neighbor India.
The Pakistan Navy said Sunday that Chinese state-claimed Hudong Zhonghua Shipyard in Shanghai held a function to celebrate launch of Type-054A/P frigate, with high ranking representatives from the administration in participation.
Launching ceremony of 1st state of the art Type-054 Class Frigate for #PakNavy, was held at Hudong Zhonghua Shipyard, China. Cdre Azfar Humayun (Chief Naval Overseer) graced event as CG in presence of China Shipbuilding Trading Co, Ltd. (CSTC) Chairman, Mr. Li Hongtao(1/2) pic.twitter.com/GfJEMkpN9l
— DGPR (Navy) (@dgprPaknavy) August 23, 2020
Advanced warships for Pakistan from China
The Navy said in an announcement the vessels are world class frigates consisting of present day surface, subsurface and hostile to air weapons and sensors. “These ships will significantly contribute in maintaining peace and security in our area of responsibility,” it added.
Read more: Benefits to Pakistan in joining Shanghai Cooperation Organization
The announcement didn’t make reference to the expense of the military vessels, however detailed evaluations are more than $350 million each.
Once developed, the ships will be one of the biggest and technologically advanced surface platforms of the Pakistan Navy fleet, boosting its ability to react to future difficulties, the administration said.
The Chinese manufacturer is being relied upon to convey each of the four units to Pakistan by 2021, which Chinese media said could “double the combat power” of the Pakistan Navy.
Pakistani authorities said the Type-054A/P frigate is in administration with China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) and perceived as its spine.
Read more: Pakistan in talks with China for J-10 fighter jets to neutralize Indian Rafales: report
China and Pakistan are together creating different military-related equipment, including the JF-17 multirole battle airplane, exhibiting the solid common guard ties.
Pak-China economic ties
The two partners as of late have established monetary collaboration under Beijing’s worldwide framework of Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
The BRI-related China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has brought about $30 billion in Chinese investment in the course of recent years, building Pakistani streets, ports and power plants. Experts see the investment as a burden on already heavily indebted Pakistan.
U.S. authorities have named CPEC loans as a “debt trap” for Pakistan, however Pakistan and China excuse the analysis, saying it has originated from “an absence of data and mistaken assumptions” about the joint effort.
Read more: CPEC’s potential to revolutionise regional cooperation and make Pakistan pivotal
Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to visit Pakistan some time this year. The visit Pakistani authorities state will support the BRI-connected economic cooperation. Xi was required to visit Pakistan in May however the outing was dropped in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi a week ago facilitated his Pakistani partner, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, for “strategic dialogue,” where the different sides consented to push ahead with new bold initiatives under CPEC. They incorporate a $6.8 billion railroad program to improve Pakistan’s principle rail line, known as Main Line 1 (ML1), which runs for about 1,900 kilometers.
“Both China and Pakistan reaffirmed the vitality of the time-tested and all-weather strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries,” a post-meeting joint statement said.
GVS News Desk with additional input by other sources