TEN YEARS OF CHINA-PAKISTAN ECONOMIC CORRIDOR (2013-2023): ACHIEVEMENTS, CHALLENGES AND IMPACT ON PAK-CHINA BILATERAL RELATIONS

Abstract

The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) represents a milestone in
the annals of bilateral economic cooperation between Pakistan and China and
embodies modernity and progress. A significant cash investment from China,
estimated at $46 billion, has been allocated to support infrastructure and energy
projects in Pakistan. The corridor is widely regarded as a transformative force
within Pakistan and is poised to revolutionize regional connectivity. Stretching
from Kashgar in western China to the port of Gawadar on the Arabian Sea,
CPEC is a key link facilitating access to Central Asia, the Middle East and
Africa. Considered under China's OBOR (One Belt One Road) initiative, CPEC
is of paramount importance in maintaining and improving the security and
economic vitality of China, Pakistan and neighboring countries. The aim of this
research is to examine the contribution of CPEC in alleviating unemployment
and poverty by providing opportunities and focuses on assessing security-related
challenges faced by CPEC by using qualitative methods to derive relevant
insights. The findings highlight the strategic importance of CPEC, particularly
for Pakistan, in alleviating prevailing social, energy and economic demands.