What surprises Pakistan the most is the fact that even though India- China were locked in a 73-day military stand-off in a remote, high-altitude stretch of Doklam last year, now they are going steady to improve ties and bury the bad memories of the recent past
Vivek Shukla
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping meet in Wuhan
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to China is creating a tremendous amount of buzz even in Pakistan. Pakistani establishment, as well as the media, are following the two-day visit of Modi to China closely. They look shaky.
Pakistan Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif, who is notorious for making irresponsible statements against India, said Islamabad is happy to see the leaders of China and India holding an informal summit as it could play an active role in ensuring regional peace and improving bilateral ties.
However, Asif said that Pakistan remains an “all-weather friend” of China and that the two countries will always stand side by side.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s noted foreign expert Choudhary Israr Khan said that the friendship between two Asian giants is an example for Pakistan to follow. “While India and China have a long-standing border dispute, yet both countries are increasing the business ties at a very fast pace. There two- way trade is almost touching 100 billion dollars. It is huge and China cannot afford to annoy India,” he said.
What surprises Pakistan the most is the fact that even though India- China were locked in a 73-day military stand-off in a remote, high-altitude stretch of that boundary last year, now they are going steady to improve ties and bury the bad memories of the recent past.
Meanwhile, China reassured Pakistan that relations between the two countries were as firm as ever and would “never rust”. While Pakistan seems to be unhappy with growing bonhomie between India and China, Bangladesh welcomes the visit of Modi to China. Says Bangladesh foreign office, “Bangladesh enjoys a close relationship with both India and China and would welcome the strengthening of Sino-Indian relations.”
Meanwhile, it is said for Chinese that where ever they go, they set-up Chinatown. While Gurgaon still does not have one, it is a different matter that this bustling NCR town is witnessing the growth of Chinese expatriates rather fast.
Says Stephen Chen, who works for Huwai, “While we Chinese hardly meet due to work-pressure, it is nice to see so many of them here in Gurugram.” Huwai operates from Spaze Techpark building in Sector 49 in South Sohna Road. More than 300 Chinese work there. The largest among Chinese companies in Gurgaon.
It is perhaps true as the numbers of Chinese expatriates are only going up, the Chinese restaurants also increasing in Gurgaon. “The Monk, Yum Yum Cha, Mama Goto, Kitchen District offer nice and authentic Chinese food and we visit there on weekends,” Adam, who works for UC News.
It is believed that while Gurgaon has a very large expatriate community with Japanese leading in terms, Chinese are certainly holding the second spot. They are close to three thousand. Contrary to other expatriate groups, the Chinese women are more than men here. Almost all of them are single and live in Palam Vihar, DLF, South City and Sushant Lok. Some also commute from South Delhi Colonies.
