Pakistan Foreign Policy and Geopolitics

[Fatman17]

Afghan road to China tests Pakistan's power and leverage - Asia Times

China is increasingly trying to diversify its connections to the region as Pakistan’s actions in Afghanistan create new security and strategic problems

share.google

The most pressing concern now is Pakistan’s shifting alignment. Under Field Marshal Asim Munir, Islamabad has moved closer to the United States, and China may see this as undercutting its interests while adding to the turmoil.

Beijing may also worry that Pakistan’s deepening engagement with Washington could give the United States greater access and influence in a region China regards as part of its western security periphery. From Beijing’s perspective, any larger American presence there is something to prevent.

That is where the Wakhan Corridor comes in. China is looking for other ways to connect with Afghanistan and the region so that it is less dependent on Pakistan and CPEC. The new road gives Afghanistan a route toward China and gives Beijing another potential link.

It reaches the Chinese border, but that does not mean a fully operating commercial crossing exists. What it does is create the possibility of closer ties later.