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China came out in support of Pakistan's anti-terror financing regime on Tuesday, days after it withdrew opposition against a US-led move to place Pakistan on the Financial Action Task Force's (FATF) watchlist.
"In recent years, Pakistan has made important progress in actively strengthening financial regulations to combat terror financing," China's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lu Kang said at a press briefing in Beijing.
The 37-nation FATF held its plenary meeting in Paris last week where it placed Pakistan on a so-called 'grey list' of the countries where terrorist outfits are still allowed to raise funds.
Editorial: Questions after the FATF debacle
The plenary held its first meeting on Pakistan on February 20 where China, Turkey and Saudi Arabia, which was representing the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), opposed the move to place Pakistan on the watchlist. But the US pushed for an unprecedented second discussion on Pakistan, held on February 22.
By then, Washington had convinced Riyadh to give up its support to Pakistan in return for a full FATF membership. This left only two – China and Turkey – in the Pakistan camp, one less than the required number of three members to stall a move.
At this stage, the Chinese informed Islamabad that they were opting out as they did not want to “lose face by supporting a move that’s doomed to fail”, an official source had told Dawn. “Pakistan appreciated the Chinese position and conveyed its gratitude to Turkey for continuing to support Islamabad against all odds,” the source added.
When asked about reports whether China had refused to bail out Pakistan at the FATF meeting, the Chinese foreign ministry spokesman said Pakistan's contributions in the area of countering terror financing were there for all to see.
"China highly recognises that [Pakistan's contributions], and hopes all relevant parties of the international community could arrive at an objective and fair conclusion on that," Lu said.
Talking about Pakistan's overall role in the war against terrorism, the spokesman said the Pakistani people have sacrificed "enormously" for the counterterrorism fight.
"Their hard efforts, both in terms of ground operations and in the field of terrorism financing, are there for all to see."
Lu reiterated that China has been calling on the international community to evaluate Pakistan's efforts against militancy "in an objective and fair way, instead of just pointing fingers at Pakistan out of bias".
"As an all-weather strategic cooperative partner for Pakistan, China will continue to enhance communication, coordination and cooperation with Pakistan on counterterrorism," he said.
For more live updates, follow Dawn.com's official news Instagram account @dawn.today
Comments (59) Closed
This was needed in FATF indeed
Didn't know China has face to loose, that too for a country who lives at best and have been doing it for a long long time.
So far no comment from Modi's group.
China is playing on both sides
Trying to apply balm on the wounds, nice try China.
Pakistan must understand the meaning of this line
By then, Washington had convinced Riyadh to give up its support to Pakistan in return for a full FATF membership
Coz Riyadh then actually surrendered opposition after the Bait by USA
The why did china remove its objection for Pakistan at FATF?
after all, there is someone standing shoulder to shoulder with us. Appreciated
@Bakar please read the article again. They didn't want to be in losing cause
@Bakar China only withdrew its objection after Saudi Arabia opted out -- as the opposition would then fail anyway.
" Washington had convinced Riyadh to give up its support to Pakistan in return for a full FATF membership. This left only two – China and Turkey – in the Pakistan camp, one less than the required number of three members to stall a move."
Still didn't support pakistan when it mattered
China first betrayed Pakistan and is now trying to apply some balm over the wound Nice try!
If Pakistan is put in the grey list (or even the black list), it gives Chinese more leverage in driving even a harder bargain on projects they are financing in Pakistan. They don't want to compete with international lenders on Pakistani soil and have now positioned themselves well to act like a monopoly. Pakistani leadership better get used to the term: "Take it or leave it" as they will now hear more of it from our so called Chinese friends.
Damage control initiative.
Let's not forget, at one point everyone looks after its own best interests and that's OK. This is what forces all of us even as individuals to reflect and re position, take appropriate actions and change. Tough, but who said life was easy - not individually, not as a nation.
Double game by China, They knew no one will support Pak to bail out from FATF and backed off
China is already a super power going by its military might and economic power but still behaves like a third world country it was three decades ago. It lacks the super power savvy. Hence not so trustworthy in every situation. Be careful Pakistan.
If Turkey could continue supporting Pakistan despite odd against Pakistan, then why China could not do the same. Let us be honest with each other.
A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out.
Now the position is clearer. Saudis let us down, not China.
It is just a lip sympathy and the reality is something else.
Thanks China.
double minded
True friends are when they stand by you : Turkey.
We will oppose you on world forums and support you in our statements : CHINA
It means that at this difficult situation only Turkey is standing with us
To late now after stabbing Pakistan Pakistan in the back
China has voted against Pakistan in FATA. This would isolate Pakistan from Financial markets and would increase it's borrowing costs. This is exactly what China wants. This would force Pakistan to be more close to China since nobody including IMF would come to its help. China is very clever. Please do not fall in its trap.
I didn’t see turkey being scared to lose face? China is only a good weather Freind.
Thank you China. In this hour of need, we know who our friends truly are.
Regardless of whatever China and its foreign ministry now maintained. The fact is both China and Saudi Arabia have lost the trust of Pakistani people amidst FATF fiasco.
Could have just stood by Pakistan as a gesture of support instead of turning your back on the country. I didn’t see Turkey falter in its support.
If there were any weaknesses, why were they not met? It’s in our interest to protect any such activity. Government focus isn’t on country it’s rather focusing on saving one corrupt politician.
Why blame China, Saudi sold Pakistan out.
SinoPak friendship will continue to only become stronger no matter how much others don't like it.
SinoPak Iron Brothers 4 Life!
Thank you Turkey
Turkey could have given the same logic but they didn't and that s what's called friendship.
double face of china
Do the words mater now?
Now since china will be the only investor, be prepared to pay high rate of interest for loans that will be given by china.
This is double-talk.
This is called a seasonal fiend.
So much for the Saudi friendship!
China is the new villain-watch out!
China and Saudi left us high and dry for theirs own interests and we are bent upon to call them friends .China were looking for vice president ship of FATA. China had done that before in India.Pleaes enough of all that rubbish all weather friendship.
Spare us all this - China is no more than a fair weather friend like any other.
Saudi's brotherhood & Chinese all-weather partnership was critically needed at FATF...!
China switched sides unlike Turkey.
Thanks China. We love you. From Pakistan
There should be a TPEC with Turkey rather than CPEC with China.
Only Turkey is the true friend of Pakistan. China is a classic example of an opportunist who betrayed their friend.
Empty words only
@Alab Your advice though correct but too late.
@Zak But the outcome sure helps China.
"...days after it withdrew opposition against a US-led move to place Pakistan on the Financial Action Task Force's (FATF) watchlist."
It shows one more time that Chinese have their own interests and can never be trusted!
@sridhar Read the article again and comprehend it, China is a super power and they act differently.
@Seedoo Not the way Chinese work. They are out friends for 65 years.
What does 'highly recognize' mean? either you recognize or you don't.
Of course they don’t want to lose face having invested billions. But also remember that they are shrewd business who will ensure as a minimum they break even and if it doesn’t pay off over and above that they will be out of there faster than you will notice.