Gwadar Coverage Assessment

 08/26/20

        As the Coronavirus keeps it hold on the world’s economic situation, mega projects like China’s Gwadar Special Economic Zone, located in Pakistan and part of the Belt & Road Initiative, are left in a precarious position. With trillions of dollars at stake and the future order of international politics in the balance, the United States and China are set to redesign the global paradigm. Countries, much like they did at the close of the Second World War, are forced to take sides or sustain in a dangerous middle ground. One such ally straddling the divide is long-term U.S. partner in the region, Pakistan. Pakistan turned its back on Washington in 2015 after signing a 43-year lease with China to establish the port in Gwadar, until then a small fishing village in the separatist plagued region of Balochistan.

        “DAWN”, a Pakistani business daily, focuses on the immediate effects of the investment and what it means to ordinary Pakistanis. The paper has been attacked in a variety of ways by the Pakistani military for having an unfavorable view of the project, and reporting on several negative incidents that occurred at the Gwadar site. The editor of DAWN, Zaffar Abbas, is an outspoken opponent of the project, reported on the deadly Balochi separatist attack, which left 10 laborers dead in May, 2017.

        Barron’s is predominantly concerned with the entire Chinese BRI and how it impacts the U.S. global domination of financial markets and supply logistics. The publication is fair in its presentation of the data, even if it is unflattering to the U.S. position. Politics are also included in the paper’s ongoing analysis of the project, with both President Trump & General Secretary Xi being covered in some detail.

        Lastly, The Wall Street Journal covers the Chinese expansion from the geo-political sphere alongside the fight for military supremacy in the Pacific. The Journal concentrates on individual personalities and the impact they may have on negotiations, projections, and in some cases, valuations. The ever-evolving situation is always placed in context and with national, commercial, and intellectual leaders featured for perspective.

        The old adage, “nothing happens in a bubble” and in these times of Covid, it should be, “within my bubble nothing happens to me”, in both cases the effects of the virus on the world’s economy, the U.S- China relationship, and the Belt & Road initiative have yet to run its course. What small differences the publications present in ‘how’ or ‘what’ they decide to cover is in stark contrast to the many similarities the papers share. 

        All three news services provided well-researched, ably written, informative articles covering one of the most important developments of the new century. The national Pakistani newspaper, DAWN, was primarily focused on issues which had a tangible and definitive impact on the lives of its citizens. The other two papers have a wider readership which tends to make their output more general as it is intended to reach a larger variety of personalities and opinions.