Opinion

Why fears of a Chinese naval base at Pakistan’s Gwadar port are overblown

China’s continued investment in the port, despite its lacklustre performance, has raised suspicions that it is intended for use as a Chinese navy base

However, despite its strategic location, the port is not as attractive as the ones in Karachi and Ormara, nor does Islamabad seem interested in a permanent Chinese naval presence

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A member of the Pakistani navy stands guard near a container ship during the opening of a trade project in Gwadar port in 2016. Photo: AFP

Riaz Khokhar is a political science graduate from the University of Gothenburg and a former research officer at the Centre for International Strategic Studies (CISS) and an Asia studies visiting fellow at the East-West Centre in Washington.

Published: 1:00am, 22 Aug 2023Updated: 3:15am, 22 Aug 2023

On August 14, a roadside bomb targeted a convoy carrying Chinese engineers in Gwadar, Pakistan. While none were injured, the continued presence of Chinese workers in Gwadar, despite recurring terrorist attacks, might puzzle casual observers.

By accepting Pakistan’s 40-year lease proposal for the Gwadar port’s construction and operation in 2013, Beijing also signed up to the inherent risks of working in Balochistan, a province marred by insurgency. The choice underscored a prioritisation of strategic interests over purely economic ones.

Despite Gwadar Port operating since 2008, it has seen minimal economic activity. While trade activity at Karachi Port and Port Qasim averaged 41 and 48 million tonnes respectively between 2020 and 2023, Gwadar Port reported under 100,000 tonnes.

This disparity, combined with persistent Chinese investment despite obvious risks, has bolstered the idea that Beijing may be helping Pakistan construct a larger naval facility at Gwadar for potential access and use by the Chinese navy.