Is it everyday that you see respected and trusted English-language daily newspapers publishing false news reports? Not really. May be an occasional slip, yes. But not one after the other. That too about a project as big as $46 billion CPEC where two governments are involved. And the other government is all we have in times of increasing international isolation.
In an unusual and immediate rebuttal of three news reports about Chinese investments in Pakistan published in succession in Pakistani daily newspapers, Express Tribune andThe Nation, a Chinese Embassy official calls these false.
On his Twitter timeline, Lijian Zhao, Deputy Chief of Mission at Chinese Embassy Islamabad, promptly takes on the falsehood being spread about CPEC and related projects.
The first report appeared in Express Tribune on 3 November headlined: ‘China willing to finance Pakistan’s portion of IP pipeline’ by a reporter named Zafar Bhutta. Lijian Zhao got back with this:
Zhao: I checked with the concerned Chinese company, and was told this is a false story. Pls check before reporting.
I checked with the concerned Chinese company, and was told this is a false story. Pls check before reporting. https://t.co/krEuULe81m
— Muhammad Lijian Zhao (@zlj517) November 6, 2016
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The second report had appeared in Express Tribune on 21 October headlined: ‘In revised offer, China wants to work as construction contractor in Gwadar’ by the same reporter Zafar Bhutta. Lijian Zhao got back with this:
Zhao: I checked with Chinese company. False report. This is same reporter which misled us on China joining IP pipeline.
I checked with Chinese company. False report. This is same reporter which misled us on China joining IP pipeline. https://t.co/gxKNHHFTE8
— Muhammad Lijian Zhao (@zlj517) November 6, 2016
The third report appeared in The Nation on 5 November headlined: ‘Chinese consortium to launch new airline in Pakistan’ by the staff reporter. Lijian Zhao got back with this:
Zhao: Again this is not true. The Chinese company explored possibility of flight between Hong Kong & Pakistan. That’s it.
Again this is not true. The Chinese company explored possibility of flight between Hongkong & Pakistan, that's it. https://t.co/LQiSpJEKyi
— Muhammad Lijian Zhao (@zlj517) November 7, 2016
Have you seen CPEC & OBOR stories on this blog?
China-Pakistan Economic Corridor: A timeline
16 CPEC projects in Balochistan, 8 in KPK: Chinese Embassy
Chinese Embassy shares progress on CPEC projects
40 CPEC projects in 4 photos & 60 seconds
CPEC gets 4-layer security as Gwadar to be weapon-free
And it’s not just factually false news that Lijian Zhao takes a dig at, he also promptly rebuts the political propaganda.
Responding to a tweet by apparently a fake Twitter account of some Rehan, with display photo of ISI DG Lt-General Rizwan, saying: ‘but to be honest it’s not China-Pakistan Economic Corridor; it’s China-Punjab Economic Corridor, Lijian Zhao tweets:
If you're really interested in What P represents, please do read this. Or you can check https://t.co/Q47ofeOJeN https://t.co/ybT4r9BL91 https://t.co/jPsBvgeOTq
— Muhammad Lijian Zhao (@zlj517) November 6, 2016
And this one:
Don't lie. 400 workers hired in Gwadar Port. A fishery reprocessing plant being built. Micro finance will be ready 4 locals to rent boats. https://t.co/JUyzcnhz8u
— Muhammad Lijian Zhao (@zlj517) November 3, 2016
It’s not the first time that Chinese Embassy or its officials have dispelled false information about CPEC project.
On 31 December and 5 October, it issued official press releases about CPEC’s western route negating the KPK Chief Minister Pervez Khattak. The Chinese ambassador to Pakistan Sun Weidong also met PTI chairman Imran Khan on 18 October to seek his assurance on CPEC.
More about China:
China’s world-reshaping $225B One Belt, One Road (OBOR)
The World Bank, meet your challenger: China-led AIIB
BRICS New Development Bank to increase lending to $2.5B next year
How China overtakes the US economy
How China is viewed by Pakistan & the world
With a parade, China announces itself as the next superpower: TIME
Xi Jinping: most powerful Chinese leader since Mao Zedong
Africa: Nigeria largest economy, China largest single trading partner
On a lighter note:
Sometimes, the Chinese Embassy may not feel the need to issue a press release. Like this:
Thx for your advice. To issue press release is the business of the Chinese companies. The Chinese government cannot speak for them. https://t.co/sjmOEBNOPC
— Muhammad Lijian Zhao (@zlj517) November 6, 2016
Through his series of tweets on several occasions, Lijian Zhao had fought the impression that CPEC only favoured Punjab.
Last month, he listed the number of projects in each province. This blog broke the story which was later carried by APP, Geo, ARY, Samaa and everyone else.
Lijian Zhao also routinely shares progress of CEPC projects on his Twitter timeline.
Do not miss our Understanding Pakistan Series
Back to the future: Pakistan in 2050
Wali on Pakistan of future
A miracle: Pakistan score in Long Term Orientation goes from Zero to 50
Pakistani culture through 6-D Model
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How we messed up Pakistan: A series by Wali
Pakistan’s two value crimes no one talks about
Is Whatsapp your source of info? Welcome to Project Ignorance
As a China watcher for nearly 30 years, Wali’s comment:
Make no mistake: China is no USA.
The hyper-speed with which China is reshaping the world through its $225-billion OBOR Initiative and soon-to-be 90-member $100-billion AIIB and extending its trade and influence to all parts of Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East, Southeast Asia, South Asia and Africa is unprecedented. This vision requires that no roadblocks come in China’s way. It’s as simple.
And China knows how to play hardball. With each stakeholder in each country.