Editorial | Pakistan killings send China a grim reminder
Real life-and-death threats face those who work in high-risk areas and authorities must attempt to contain violence
Since its launch in 2013, the Belt and Road Initiative linking China to the rest of the world by building ports, roads and rail and other infrastructure projects has expanded to more than 150 countries. It has also helped Beijing extend its global reach and build relations.
But with an expanded global presence comes expanded risk. This was tragically illustrated at the weekend when separatist militants blew up a tanker near Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport, killing two Chinese workers and wounding a third and several Pakistani nationals.
China has condemned the incident as a terrorist attack, expressed condolences to the victims and their families, and called on Pakistan authorities to find and punish those responsible.
The Baloch Liberation Army, a militant group, has reportedly claimed responsibility, saying it had “targeted a high-level convoy of Chinese engineers and investors” coming from the airport.
The group has targeted Chinese interests including Balochistan province’s strategic port at Gwadar on the Arabian Sea. The port is regarded as the centrepiece of the US$60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) launched a decade ago.
Gwadar saw violent demonstrations this summer that had already fuelled concerns about the country’s security situation, which has deteriorated amid violence targeting some belt and road projects.
