"China's peaceful rise," also known as "China's peaceful
development," was an official Chinese policy implemented under former paramount
leader Hu Jintao to reassure the international community that China's growing
political, economic, and military power would not pose a threat to international
peace and security.
China's GDP has expanded by 15 times in the last 30 years, from US$216.5 billion
at the start of reform and opening-up to US$3.4 trillion in 2007, with GDP per
capita exceeding US$2500. As a result, the Chinese people's living standards
have increased. Both urban and rural residents' incomes have risen
significantly, and private assets have accumulated at a rapid rate.
China has gone from a poor agrarian country to the great Industrial powerhouse
that it is today in just two generations, second largest economy and largest
economy by purchasing power parity yet, China hasn't invaded a single country
and hasn't fired a single shot, which is unprecedented.
If you look back through history, the rise of every great power from the
Athenian Empire to the Roman Empire, from the British Empire to America's
manifest destiny, to the rise of modern Japan, modern Germany, almost all of
them were accompanied by manslaughter, colonization of entire continents,
killing off and enslaving entire populations, invasions, and wars, and China's
rise has been faster and bigger than all of them, but so far no shot has been
fired.
Peaceful development is a strategic choice that aligns with the Chinese people's
fundamental interests. Chinese people are currently working hard to realise the
aim of constructing a moderately successful society in all respects, which is in
the best interests of all ethnic groups in China. China requires peaceful
neighbouring and international surroundings to achieve this goal. The hard-won
favourable regional and international climate for our development is extremely
valuable to China.
Hence, even if China becomes powerful, the Chinese government has stated
explicitly that it will never pursue hegemony. This is the Chinese government's
stated policy. We are encouraged to see that an increasing number of countries
perceive China's growth as an opportunity rather than a danger.
As China’s neighbouring country, Pakistan has had a close and beneficial
connection with China for many years. In 1950, Pakistan was one of the first
countries to recognise the People's Republic of China, and it remained a staunch
supporter during Beijing's international isolation in the 1960s and early 1970s.
China has historically provided Pakistan with significant military, technical,
and economic aid, including sensitive nuclear technology and equipment
transfers.
The 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan, which
begun in 1951, was celebrated on May 22, 2021. While inaugurating the Karachi
Nuclear Power Plant Unit -2 on this day, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan
hailed the values of this partnership and the development potential of the
China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
These co-operative development projects not only help in the modernization and
rejuvenation of Pakistan, but also promote Pakistan as a peace-loving state that
co-operates with its neighboring nations for mutual benefits. Going back to
China’s Peaceful Development, seeing its non-destructive nature, Pakistan should
analyze these policies, and try to implement some of it in its development
strategies.