In August 2001, China and Pakistan signed a financing agreement for the first phase of the Gwadar Port project, and the construction work for Gwadar Port officially began in March of the following year.
Initially, people didn't pay much attention to this project because of the close relationship between China and Pakistan, and it seemed natural for China to provide port assistance to Pakistan.
Furthermore, with China's plan to lease Gwadar Port from Pakistan, it appeared to be a win-win situation for cooperation.
However, over time, as China invested a full 14 years in the construction of Gwadar Port, and Chinese workers faced threats from terrorist forces within Pakistan, the public began to express concerns.
Whether such a long time, effort, and financial investment were worth it became a question for many.
Looking back at the construction process of Gwadar Port, it can indeed be described as extremely challenging.
Firstly, Gwadar Port is located in a harsh natural environment, with an average annual temperature ranging from 22 to 29°C and frequent storm attacks.
Initially, the population of the Gwadar region was only a few thousand people, making it difficult to carry out large-scale construction in such a sparsely populated area.
Additionally, Chinese workers had to face the threat of local terrorist forces - the Baloch insurgency.
According to reports, on August 20, 2021, the "Today's Pakistan" newspaper reported an incident where Baloch insurgents attacked a Chinese convoy, injuring Chinese personnel and causing the deaths of two Pakistani children aged around 10.
Similar incidents occurred frequently, and to protect Chinese workers, the Pakistani military and police devoted a considerable amount of effort and paid a significant price.
Despite the numerous challenges, with joint efforts from China and Pakistan, Gwadar Port was finally completed and officially opened in November 2016.
However, it must be considered whether China's 14-year investment in the construction of Gwadar Port was worthwhile.
Firstly, Gwadar Port is an important node of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which is one of the flagship projects of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
The BRI is crucial for China's economic development and increasing international influence, and the successful development of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor has attracted more and more countries to join.
Secondly, Gwadar Port plays an important role in China's energy security.
Despite China's significant investment in new energy development, it still relies on fossil fuels. According to the State Council Information Office, in January 2023, China imported a total of 1.158 billion tons of energy products such as crude oil, natural gas, and coal, with a significant portion entering China by sea.
If relations between China and the United States deteriorate and the United States sets up blockades in key sea lanes, it would directly threaten China's energy security.
Therefore, the construction of Gwadar Port provides important security for China's energy security.
Additionally, the completion of Gwadar Port will also promote the future development of the Chinese Navy.
As China's comprehensive national strength increases, its overseas investments and project constructions are increasing, requiring naval protection.
To ensure the long-term voyages of the navy, overseas strategic replenishment points are indispensable.
Therefore, the construction of Gwadar Port provides important logistical support for the Chinese Navy.
Finally, China's substantial time and resource investment in the construction of Gwadar Port aligns with China's consistent diplomatic philosophy of "cooperative development, win-win future."
The construction of Gwadar Port has promoted the economic rise of the Pakistani region, becoming a successful case of cooperation, enhancing China's international influence, and accelerating the process of global multipolarization.
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