What Is CPEC

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WHAT IS CPEC AND IT’S DIFFERENT ELEMENTS

SEMESTER FALL-2023
ASSIGNMENT NO-01

SUBMITTED BY
JUNAID AKBAR (20011587-023)

SUBMITTED TO
SIR ADIL ZAMAN

COURSE : REGIONAL CONNECTIVITY AND CPEC

UNIVERSITY OF GUJRAT
Department of International Relations
(IR)
What is CPEC
The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a major bilateral project to improve Pakistan's
domestic infrastructure to improve trade with China and further integrate South Asian countries.
It is part of the larger Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) that China announced in 2013 to improve
connectivity, trade, communication and cooperation among Eurasian countries..

This project was launched by China Press on April 20, 2015. Xi Jinping and Pakistani Prime
Minister Nawaz Sharif signed 51 agreements and memorandums of understanding worth a total
of $46 billion. CPEC aims to transform Pakistan's economy by modernizing its road, rail, air and
energy transport systems and connecting Pakistan's deep sea ports, Gwadar and Karachi, by land
with China's Xinjiang region and other regions. . (Xinjiang shares borders with Mongolia,
Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India, and the ancient
Silk Road passed through its territory.) The goal is to reduce time and cost. This country will
supply gas to China by bypassing the Strait of Malacca and the South China Sea. The initiative
also envisages the opening of several Special Economic Zones (SEZs), modeled after similar
zones in China, with the aim of incentivizing investment and promoting rapid economic growth.
In 2016, a joint space and satellite project was announced between Pakistan and China under the
CPEC initiative. (Amir, 2016)

Different Elements of CPEC


Transport Infrastructure: The transport infrastructure component of the China-Pakistan
Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a critical element of this ambitious project to improve
connectivity between the Gwadar port in southwestern Pakistan and China's Xinjiang region.
This component mainly includes the development and expansion of the road and railway
network. CPEC involves the construction and improvement of highways and roads to facilitate
smooth movement of goods and people. (Rasheed, 2019)

Gwadar Port: Gwadar Port serves as a vital element in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor
(CPEC) framework. The port provides a shorter and more efficient route for imports and exports
to China, bypassing the long and congested shipping route through the Straits of Malacca.
Through the CPEC, the port will be connected to the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in
northwest China through a network of roads, railways and pipelines, creating vital trade links.
This development is expected to boost economic activity in the region and provide opportunities
for trade, investment and infrastructure development, and could have far-reaching economic and
geopolitical implications for Pakistan and China. (Inayat Kalim, 2020)

Energy Projects: The energy project is one of the key elements of the China-Pakistan Economic
Corridor (CPEC), which aims to address Pakistan's pressing energy needs while promoting
economic development. CPEC includes a wide range of energy initiatives, including coal, wind,
solar and hydropower. The aim of these projects is to reduce Pakistan's energy deficit and
increase the power generation capacity and thus improve the country's industrial and economic
prospects. (Weidong, 2017)

Security Measures: CPEC covers several areas, including areas with complex security
dynamics that require protection of investments, personnel and the infrastructure itself. Pakistan
has established a security wing and task force to ensure protection of CPEC projects and
personnel. This includes measures to counter potential threats such as terrorism, sabotage, and
criminal activities. The security aspect of CPEC is crucial in providing assurance to Chinese and
Pakistani stakeholders and providing an enabling environment for investment and development.
Addressing security concerns, CPEC seeks to successfully implement its various elements and
create a stable and secure environment to foster economic growth and regional stability (Ahmar,
2014).

Trade and Economic Cooperation: Trade and economic cooperation is an essential element of
the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), an ambitious initiative aimed at strengthening
economic ties between China and Pakistan while promoting regional integration. Under CPEC,
both countries have taken various measures to promote trade and economic cooperation. This
includes reducing tariffs, simplifying customs procedures and creating a more favorable
environment for cross-border trade. Special Economic Zones (SEZ) are created to attract foreign
investment, especially from Chinese companies, to set up industries and manufacturing facilities
within Pakistan. (Rizvi, 2015)
Bibliography
Ahmar, M. (2014). Strategic Meaning of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. Strategic Studies, 36-38.

Amir, F. (2016). CPEC and Regional Integration. The Pakistan Development Review, 579-580.

Inayat Kalim, A. S. (2020). Maritime Economy and Gwadar Port: A Growth Catalyst. Policy Perspectives,
15-17.

Khalil Ahmad, Ayza Shoukat, & Muhammad Abdullah. (2016). Does Infrastructure Development Promote
Regional Economic Integration? CPEC's Implications for Pakistan. The Pakistan Development
Review, 455-457.

Rasheed, M. I. (2019). Road and transport infrastructure development and community support for
tourism: The role of perceived benefits, and community satisfaction. Tourism Management, 9-
13.

Rizvi, H. A. (2015). The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor: Regional Cooperation and Socio-Economic
Development. Strategic Studies, , 1-4.

Weidong, S. (2017). Pakistan-China Relations: CPEC and Beyond. Policy Perspectives, 7-10.

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