Five areas where Pakistan will benefit from the China president, Xi Jinping's visit

Chinese president Xi Jinping's visit to Pakistan bears all the marks of a diplomatic show to keep India and its allies on their toes. For instance, a fleet of eight JF-17 Thunder fighter jets - jointly made by China and Pakistan - will escort the Chinese president once his plane enters Pakistani airspace. A red-carpet welcome will be accorded to Xi who has chosen Pakistan as his first foreign destination in 2015 after cancelling his previous trips to Pakistan despite invitations from this country.

DEFENCE: A defence agreement worth $4-5 billion to provide eight latest submarines is also expected to be signed. These will more than double Pakistan Navy's fleet. India's Navy may find this cause for concern if Pak and Chinese submarines team up at the Indian Ocean waters. As a possible war scenario, Japanese, American and Indian Navies will be obligated to team up leading to a perpetual war like situation.

ENERGY: China and Pakistan are set to cooperate in gas, coal, and solar energy projects to provide 16,400 megawatts of electricity -- roughly equivalent to Pakistan's entire current capacity. Pakistan has wrestled with chronic power shortages in recent years dislodging several points off GDP growth and inflicted misery on the everyday lives of its citizens.

The 720 MW Karot hydropower project, a 200 MW wind power project and the 900 MW Zeonergy Solar Power Project in Bahawalpur are on the cards from the Sino-Pak agreement. Xi will also inaugurate a small and medium hydro research centre in Lahore.
A framework agreement between Pakistan and China for the Gwadar-Nawabshah gas pipeline and Gwadar LNG terminal will be inked as well.
Pakistan is hoping that some of that gas will be passed on to Islamabad for producing power for Pakistan.
China will extend loans for projects expected to install 7,250 MW of power generation capacity in Pakistan, in addition to two coal-mining projects at Thar.

AXIS TO COUNTER INDO-US INFLUENCE: Bilateral trade between China and Pakistan crossed $12 billion dollars last year, compared to only $2 billion a decade earlier. A cultural centre in Islamabad will be set up with Chinese funds. In addition, a Pak-China FM radio channel will be inaugurated during Xi's visit. However, it is not clear as to what strategic purpose it will serve.

TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE: The project also foresees the creation of road, rail and pipeline links that will cut several thousand kilometres off the route to transport oil from the Middle East to China, while bypassing mutual rival India. The upgrade stretches 3,000 kilometres from the Pakistani port of Gwadar on the Arabian Sea to China's western city of Kashgar.
Other projects including construction of $2.6 billion Multan-Sukkur section of the Karachi-Lahore Motorway, $920 million Thakot-Havelian section of Karakoram Highway Phase-II, $230 million Gwadar Eastbay Expressway and the $140 million Gwadar International Airport project will also be signed.

Four key projects to create an operational connection between China's eastern provinces and Gwadar Port will be inked. A land lease deed for Gwadar Port and Gwadar Free Zone will be signed between China Overseas Port Holding Company and Gwadar Port Authority. Pakistan transferred control of the port to a Chinese public company in 2013. $11 billion has been set aside for the purpose.

HOMELAND SECURITY: China is wary of the infiltration of militant Islamists from Pakistan to its western Xinjiang province, which is frequently hit by unrest, and may be looking from greater assurances from Islamabad on the matter.
In February, China expressed its willingness to support the Afghan government in reconciling with the Taliban, another issue that could be discussed during the visit.

As the two sides increase cooperation, they are also negotiating an agreement for exchange of prisoners.

DIGITAL BACKBONE INFRASTRUCTURE: During the visit, a $44 million cross border fibre optic data communication system project, a digital terrestrial multimedia broadcast pilot project at Murree, a $1.4 billion Orange Line Mass Transit project in Lahore are on the cards.
China also wants to develop a commodity exchange facility at Gwadar and is asking Pakistan to provide land for the projects. Another project for a massive investment park in Balochistan is also under consideration.