Gwadar inauguration cancelled
The decision by Pakistani and Chinese authorities to cancel the programme for the formal inauguration of Gwadar port by Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao during his recent visit to Pakistan gives an indication of the further deterioration in the situation in Balochistan. The first stage in the construction of the Chinese-aided port had been completed ahead of schedule by the Chinese after the death of three engineers in a terrorist explosion by suspected Uighur terrorists last year. Its inauguration was one of the principal functions planned by the two countries during Wens visit. Pakistani media have reported that the cancellation was for security reasons.
In the port of Tianjin, serving the capital city of Beijing, COSCO Pacific, Tianjin Port and AP Moller will set up a container terminal by 2007 that will handle 2.1mTEU/year.
It is not clear whether the 450 Chinese engineers who were working on the first stage of the project will continue to participate in the construction of the second stage.