‘Fulfil Your Prior Commitments With Us’: China Presses Pakistan On CPEC Delivery, Security Failures

Last Updated:January 05, 2026, 11:55 IST

Beijing made it clear that all new financial assistance would be conditional upon the completion of previously promised CPEC projects.

At the 7th round of the Pakistan–China Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue held in Beijing, Chinese officials conveyed dissatisfaction over the slow progress and operational shortcomings of key CPEC components, particularly in Balochistan.

China has issued a rare and pointed reminder to Pakistan to deliver on long-pending commitments under the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), citing serious concerns over security, infrastructure delays, and lack of tangible returns even after 11 years of the flagship Belt and Road Initiative project.

According to sources, at the 7th round of the Pakistan–China Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue held in Beijing, Chinese officials conveyed dissatisfaction over the slow progress and operational shortcomings of key CPEC components, particularly in Balochistan. According to top diplomatic sources, Beijing flagged that CPEC’s flagship assets — including Gwadar Port, Gwadar Airport, and critical road connectivity — remain far from fully functional.

Chinese officials noted that the M-8 motorway linking Gwadar to Sukkur remains incomplete, while road safety across Balochistan continues to be a major concern. Gwadar Sea Port, envisioned as the cornerstone of CPEC, has not achieved full operational capacity, and the newly built Gwadar Airport has failed to attract meaningful passenger or cargo traffic. These gaps, China conveyed, directly undermine the economic logic of the corridor.

Security concerns dominated the dialogue. Rising terror incidents in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa — including repeated attacks targeting Chinese nationals and interests — have alarmed Beijing. Chinese officials underlined that Pakistan’s inability to ensure a secure operating environment has stalled progress and delayed returns on Chinese investments. A joint security mechanism for CPEC projects and Chinese citizens was discussed in detail, with Pakistan presenting a formal plan during the dialogue. China has also offered security assistance and indicated that a high-powered Chinese delegation will soon visit Pakistan to review ground-level arrangements.

In a significant shift, China also linked future funding and grants to transparency and compliance. Beijing made it clear that all new financial assistance would be conditional upon the completion of previously promised CPEC projects and transparent bidding processes for new ventures. Chinese officials specifically sought clarity on Pakistan’s upcoming “mines and minerals" contracts, stressing the need for fair and open bidding — a comment interpreted by diplomatic sources as concern over perceived favouritism towards the United States.

China further urged Pakistan to normalise relations and trade with Afghanistan, arguing that regional connectivity and stability are critical for CPEC’s long-term success. Beijing offered its “good offices" to mediate between Islamabad and Kabul to address security and transit challenges affecting western CPEC routes.

Pakistan’s delegation, led by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, assured full compliance on security, infrastructure delivery, and transparency. Dar briefed Chinese officials on Pakistan’s new financial reforms, including a proposed “one-window" facilitation system aimed at easing operations for Chinese investors.

Despite the sharp messaging, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to the All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership. China reiterated that it remains committed to fulfilling its obligations, but emphasized that Pakistan “has to deliver its best." The two countries also agreed to cooperate across bilateral and multilateral platforms and to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Pakistan–China diplomatic relations, with both foreign ministers jointly unveiling the commemorative logo to mark year-long celebrations.

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