China dismisses UN warning on Pak corridor creating tension with India

Describing the United Nations as a “partner” in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Beijing on Thursday dismissed a UN body’s report which warned that the flagship China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) could create tension with India and fuel political instability.

China said the report by Economic and Social Commission for Asia-Pacific (ESCAP), a development arm of the United Nations (UN), wasn’t specifically on the CPEC and had evaluated the BRI in a very positive way.

The report, issued on Tuesday and prepared at the request of the Chinese government, said the CPEC could lead to “further political instability” in the region and “create geo-political tension with India” as it passes through PoK.

India skipped the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing last week primarily because of “sovereignty” issues over CPEC passing through PoK.

Foreign ministry spokesperson Lu Kang dismissed the UN’s concerns on the CPEC.

“As far as I have learned, the ESCAP did not issue any specific report on the BRI. As for CPEC passing through the controversial territory, I have said this many times, it (CPEC) is an economic initiative and it will not affect our position on the Kashmir issue,” Lu said. He spoke in detail about the ESCAP’s positive look at the BRI.

The report had said the BRI has the potential to position the region as an epicentre for growth and trade. “ESCAP is an important partner of our Belt and Road Initiative. The 73rd session of ESCAP was just concluded in Thailand in Bangkok. During this session, all parties spoke highly of the Belt and Road Initiative in promoting development in Asia and the Pacific,” Lu said.

”This shows support of the international community for the BRI and the report issued by the ESCAP also gave a high evaluation to the positive role played by the BRI and explained in detail how it can play a positive role.”