Home Journal List Journal of the Research Society of Pakistan Volume 53 Article Details

Assessing CPEC: Potential Threats and Prospects

Abstract

China sees Pakistan as her longstanding and committed ally. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, Pakistan and China have successfully maintained cordial ties muddling through all challenging circumstances and serving their national interests. As Pakistan’s physiographic feature placed her at the junction of South Asia, West Asia, Central Asia and Western China, she is sited in a region which is strategically significant for world trade. She proposes the shortest route to China towards Middle Eastern and European countries and plays a vital role in transit economy. China depends a great deal on Middle Eastern states to satiate her energy needs. Presently, Pakistan and China are agreed to build an economic corridor; a multi-dollar’s project, China has ever invested in any foreign country. With China Pakistan Economic Corridor and Gwadar port being functional the shipping cost would be reduced and delivery time for China to reach Middle East and beyond will be cut short. Integrating 2,000 km transport link between China’s Kashgar region to Gwadar port at Pakistan close to Iran’s frontier through physical roads and railways and oil and gas pipelines, the corridor will increase economy and trade, improve regional integration, expand transport and communication infrastructure and overcome energy shortage that are coupled with potential threats and challenges.

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