Pakistan okays use of Mandarin to boost CPEC communication

NEW DELHI: The Pakistani Senate has approved use of Mandarin to facilitate implementation of the China-Pakistan economic-corridor.

The move, ostensibly to help Pakistanis associated with CPEC to communicate better, may have broken a barrier to Beijing’s smooth implementation of multi-billion dollar infrastructure projects under its Belt & Road Initiative.

The $60-billion CPEC project is a key irritant in New Delhi’s relations with China. India has opposed it on the ground that it passes through Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK). The presence of CPEC in the Belt & Road Initiative—under which China is spending billions of dollars on infra projects in countries along the old trade route that connected it to Europe—is the primary reason why India has not approved and joined it.


According to the Pakistani Senate, the step was necessary in view of Islamabad’s special ties with China. But the move will be closely followed in India where authorities see it leading to a tightening of China’s grip over Pakistan.