China condemns terror blast at Pakistan hotel
▶ ‘ West hype, sabotage won’t hold back BRI project’
A deadly car bomb explosion that rocked a hotel, supposedly well- fortified, in Quetta, capital of Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province late Wednesday, has become the latest material for some Western media to exploit hours after the tragedy and to hype local resentment against the China- proposed Belt and Road Initiative ( BRI) projects in the region, citing the facility was hosting Chinese Ambassador Nong Rong.
The explosion took place in the parking area of the only four- star Serena Hotel in the region, which left at least five dead and 12 injured as of press time, media reported.
Local Pakistan officials, the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan and the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Thursday that the Chinese envoy was not present when the tragedy took place, as Nong was leading a delegation on a visit in Quetta.
There have been no casualty reports of Chinese nationals from the incident, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said on Thursday.
Wang said China strongly condemns the terror blast and sent condolences to those affected.
China believes the ongoing investigation by Pakistan authorities will find out the truth, bring culprits to justice and ensure the safety of Chinese personnel and institutes in Pakistan, the spokesperson stressed.
The Pakistani Taliban has claimed responsibility for the blast.
Some Western media have painted a different picture, exploiting the tragedy against Chinese BRI projects in the region. For example, The Guardian reported hours after the tragedy that resentment has been fueled by billions of dollars of Chinese money flowing into the region through the China- Pakistan Economic Corridor ( CPEC) – a key part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative – which locals say gave them little benefit as most new jobs went to outsiders.
Refuting such reports, Chinese observers pointed out that there are no political forces or rebel groups in Pakistan who identify themselves as anti- China and anti- BRI, and the overwhelming majority of Pakistani civil society is friendly to China.
It is too early to draw a conclusion on whether the attack in Quetta was targeting the Chinese delegation, observers said. They believe that the development of the China- Pakistan Economic Corridor in the region will and must carry on, as local support overwhelmingly prevails and Beijing will not flinch against any attacks.
However, the possibility that the local terrorists wanted to create bigger noise by targeting Chinese nationals cannot be ruled out to advance their malicious domestic agenda, observers said.
It is too early to draw a conclusion on whether the attack in Quetta was targeting the Chinese delegation.