China Pakistan Economic Corridor: A Game Changer Project

Abstract

Pakistan and China has a long history of bilateral relations but the period from 2002 – 2005 witnessed boosts in economic ties and leadership of both the countries carried out frequent visits in order to address various economic and strategic challenges. The location of Pakistan on the World map considered as geo-strategic was now also being seen as geo-economic through Chinese perspective.  China driven by market forces, development of western provinces, and its energy security concerns, started thinking to expand westwards. China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) being a subset of “One Belt One Road” (OBOR) was formally launched in 2013. This mega project has a potential to become a “game changer” for the region in general and Pakistan in particular. The opportune project faces a number of challenges which needs to be tackled in a timely and effective manner. Strategic location of Gwadar signifies its position in CPEC in many ways for Pakistan-China as well as for other regional countries.