ABSTRACT
The China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is part of China’s new global initiative, known as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI); it is also often called the One Belt, One Road initiative. The BRI reflects China’s grand vision of connectivity extending from the People’s Republic of China to the Baltics in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and South-East Asia. China’s BRI strategy seeks to increase its economic and political ties in Asia, the Middle East and beyond. The CPEC is a part of China’s efforts to deliver security through economic development. The CPEC is intended to promote connectivity across Pakistan with a network of highways, railways and pipelines accompanied by energy, industrial and other infrastructure development projects to address critical energy shortages needed to boost Pakistan’s economic growth. The CPEC is an evolving package of competitive economic initiatives intended to enhance trade and economic development.
