China-pakistan Relations and Regional Development in the Context of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)

Abstract

Pakistan and China as all weather strategic partners have a history of glorious friendly relations. Both countries always try to make strong these relations through different geo-political, strategic and economic projects/agreements. The Pak-China Economic Corridor (CPEC) is also a key to make strong economic relations of both countries. It is considered to be an extension of China’s proposed 21st century Silk Road initiative and considered a centre for their relations. It is a huge project under construction that will undertake the construction of highway and railway links running through the areas from Gwadar in Baluchistan and culminating in Kashgar in western China, while passing through the regions of Baluchistan, Sindh, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) and Gilgit-Baltistan (Khunjrab Pass) and run through most vital geostrategic locations. It will connect Pakistan with China and the Central Asian countries by the highway connecting Kashgar to Khunjrab and Gwadar. The CPEC is of high significance, as it making this region more economically viable, stable and sustainable. It is also one of many mega projects planned by China in Central, South and South East Asia for expanding its political and economic influence to counter the US influence in the region. China has made an attempt to fulfill multiple interests of its own by the financial investments in region on CPEC. It shall act as a trade bridge between China, Middle East and Europe through Pakistan and proved a source of economic benefits. The paper through the empirical and inductive research approach tries to identify the China-Pakistan relations and the regional development by the construction of CPEC. In this paper makes consideration of the main traits of the CPEC on both regions. It also emphasizes on the impacts on the economic situation of Pakistan at regional and global levels as well.

China-Pakistan economic corridor and its impact on rural development and human life sustainability. Observations from rural women

“…However, due to the strategic importance of these areas, the major routes of the CPEC are passing through the rural areas of Pakistan. Hence, it would enhance the infrastructure of these rural regions, thereby resulting in a positive change in people's lives [63]. Despite bestowed with the natural resources, Pakistan's power and energy sectors are not performing optimally.…”

China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and Geostrategic Development in the Middle East

“…The second (2020-25) and third (2025-30) stages of the CPEC long-term plan involve the development and modernisation of this roadway, which is presently being utilised for bilateral trade. China-Middle East energy commerce is anticipated to benefit greatly from the CPEC railway and pipelines, the construction of which is now in the planning stages but is also scheduled for the second phase (Naz, 2018). The Middle East and China's economic and geopolitical interdependence will increase as a result of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which creates a new route for the flow of goods.…”