The exploitation of Balochistan’s natural resources by China has sparked outrage among locals, who are now calling for an end to the alleged Chinese exploitation in the Pakistan province. Reports of Chinese companies making huge profits from Balochistan’s resources, using the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as bait, have caused a stir in the region. This is likened to the illegal mining in the Myanmar borders, among other evils, by Chinese nationals.
The Chinese government is now facing further scrutiny as reports emerge of them pressuring other countries, such as Nepal, to join their BRI. According to Epardafas, an online magazine, China is luring Nepal with eye-catching benefits into the initiative. The BRI is a global infrastructure development strategy adopted by the Chinese government in 2013 to invest in nearly 150 countries and international organizations.
The exploitation of Balochistan’s resources is a major concern for the locals, who are yet to see any of the profits from the deal. The Chinese company which mines gold, silver and copper in the province has claimed profits of around USD 75 million in 2021, yet the locals remain impoverished with a per capita GDP under USD 1,000.
The exploitation of Balochistan’s resources by China must be stopped and the locals must be given their fair share of the profits. The Chinese government must also be held accountable for coercing other countries into joining the BRI.
