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Assignment

CPEC: China-Pakistan Economic Corridor

Submitted By:-

Abdullah Yaqoob , Muhammad Ahmad , Umer Awan

Submitted To:-

Sir Zohaib

Degree:-

Bs Software Engineering

Semester:-

3rd Semester Section (B)


CPEC: China-Pakistan Economic Corridor

The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a framework of regional connectivity. It is a


collection of infrastructure projects that are currently under construction throughout Pakistan. CPEC
is part of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which is a massive global infrastructure development
strategy.

The BRI was first announced in 2013 by Chinese President Xi Jinping. It is a global development
strategy that aims to connect China to other countries through infrastructure projects. The BRI
includes projects in over 150 countries and is expected to cost over $1 trillion.

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI):


The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), also known as the One Belt One Road (OBOR), is a global
infrastructure development strategy adopted by the Chinese government in 2013 to invest in more
than 150 countries and international organizations. The BRI is the largest infrastructure project in
history, with an estimated investment of over $1 trillion.

The BRI is divided into two main components: the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century
Maritime Silk Road. The Silk Road Economic Belt is a land-based route that connects China to
Central Asia, South Asia, and Europe. The 21st Century Maritime Silk Road is a sea-based route
that connects China to Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.

The BRI aims to improve regional integration, increase trade, and stimulate economic growth. It also
aims to expand China's economic and political influence around the world.
The BRI has been praised for its potential to boost economic development in participating countries.
However, it has also been criticized for its lack of transparency, its potential for debt traps, and its
environmental impact.

Here are some of the key objectives of the BRI:

Promote economic cooperation and trade between China and other countries

Improve infrastructure connectivity in participating countries

Boost economic growth and development in participating countries

Expand China's economic and political influence around the world

The BRI has been criticized for a number of reasons, including:

Lack of transparency: The BRI is not subject to any multilateral oversight or accountability
mechanisms.

Potential for debt traps: Some countries have borrowed heavily from China to finance BRI projects,
which has raised concerns about debt sustainability.

Environmental impact: Some BRI projects have been criticized for their negative environmental
impact.

Despite the criticisms, the BRI remains a major priority for the Chinese government. The BRI is likely
to play a significant role in shaping the global economy in the coming decades.

Here are some examples of BRI projects:

The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a $62 billion infrastructure project that connects
China's western Xinjiang province to the Pakistani port of Gwadar. The CPEC includes roads,
railways, power plants, and other infrastructure projects.

The Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway in Kenya is a $3.2 billion railway that connects the
port of Mombasa to the capital city of Nairobi. The railway was built by a Chinese company and
financed by the Chinese government.
The Piraeus Port in Greece is a major port that has been leased to a Chinese company for 35 years.
The Chinese company has invested heavily in the port, and it is now one of the busiest ports in the
Mediterranean Sea.

The BRI is a complex and ambitious project. It has the potential to boost economic development in
participating countries, but it also raises a number of concerns. The BRI is likely to be a major topic
of discussion and debate for many years to come.

The route of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is divided into two main components: the Silk Road
Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road.

The Silk Road Economic Belt runs from China through Central Asia, South Asia, and Southwest Asia
to Europe. It passes through countries such as Kazakhstan, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan,
Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Iran, Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Bulgaria, Greece, and Italy.

The 21st Century Maritime Silk Road runs from China through Southeast Asia, South Asia, the
Middle East, and Africa to Europe. It passes through countries such as Vietnam, Cambodia,
Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, the Philippines, Myanmar, Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka,
Pakistan, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Kenya, Tanzania, and Djibouti.

The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a major component of the BRI. It is a $62 billion
infrastructure project that connects China's western Xinjiang province to the Pakistani port of
Gwadar. The CPEC includes roads, railways, power plants, and other infrastructure projects.

The CPEC route begins in Kashgar, Xinjiang, China and runs south through the Karakoram
Mountains into Pakistan. It then passes through the Pakistani provinces of Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, and Sindh before ending at the port of Gwadar.

The CPEC is a major strategic project for both China and Pakistan. It provides China with a direct
route to the Arabian Sea, and it gives Pakistan access to Chinese investment and technology. The
CPEC is also expected to boost trade and economic development in both countries.
BRI and CPEC routes

It is important to note that the BRI is still under development, and the routes of some projects may
change in the future.

The route of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is divided into two main components: the Silk Road
Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road.

The Silk Road Economic Belt runs from China through Central Asia, South Asia, and Southwest Asia
to Europe. It passes through countries such as Kazakhstan, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan,
Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Iran, Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Bulgaria, Greece, and Italy.

The 21st Century Maritime Silk Road runs from China through Southeast Asia, South Asia, the
Middle East, and Africa to Europe. It passes through countries such as Vietnam, Cambodia,
Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, the Philippines, Myanmar, Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka,
Pakistan, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Kenya, Tanzania, and Djibouti.

The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a major component of the BRI. It is a $62 billion
infrastructure project that connects China's western Xinjiang province to the Pakistani port of
Gwadar. The CPEC includes roads, railways, power plants, and other infrastructure projects.

The CPEC route begins in Kashgar, Xinjiang, China and runs south through the Karakoram
Mountains into Pakistan. It then passes through the Pakistani provinces of Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, and Sindh before ending at the port of Gwadar.

The CPEC is a major strategic project for both China and Pakistan. It provides China with a direct
route to the Arabian Sea, and it gives Pakistan access to Chinese investment and technology. The
CPEC is also expected to boost trade and economic development in both countries.
History of CPEC
The history of CPEC can be traced back to 2013, when Chinese President Li Keqiang
proposed the idea during his visit to Pakistan. The project was officially launched in 2015,
when both countries signed a series of agreements worth $46 billion to finance various
energy and transportation projects along the corridor Since then, CPEC has expanded to
include other sectors such as agriculture, industry, tourism, education, and health The
project is expected to be completed by 2030

Importance of CPEC
The importance of CPEC lies in its potential to boost economic growth, create jobs, enhance
connectivity, and improve security in both countries. For China, CPEC provides an alternative
route to access the Middle East and Europe, reducing its dependence on the Strait of
Malacca, which is vulnerable to piracy and geopolitical tensions For Pakistan, CPEC offers
an opportunity to overcome its chronic energy crisis, upgrade its infrastructure, diversify its
exports, and attract foreign investment CPEC also aims to foster regional cooperation and
stability by involving other countries such as Afghanistan, Iran, and Central Asian states

Some of the projects under CPEC are:

Energy projects: These include coal, hydro, wind, solar, and nuclear power plants that aim to
address Pakistan’s energy shortage and diversify its energy mix. Some of the completed
projects are the Port Qasim Coal Power Plant, the Sahiwal Coal Power Plant, the Quaid-e-
Azam Solar Park, and the Karot Hydropower Station Some of the ongoing projects are the
Thar Coal Block-I Power Generation Project, the Gwadar Coal Power Project, the Matiari-
Lahore Transmission Line Project, and the Chashma Nuclear Power Plant

Transport infrastructure projects: These include highways, railways, airports, and ports that
aim to improve connectivity and trade within Pakistan and with China. Some of the
completed projects are the Peshawar-Karachi Motorway (Multan-Sukkur Section), the
Havelian-Thakot Expressway, the Gwadar East Bay Expressway, and the New Gwadar
International Airport Some of the ongoing projects are the Karachi-Lahore Motorway
(Sukkur-Hyderabad Section), the ML-1 Railway Line (Karachi-Peshawar), the Orange Line
Metro Train (Lahore), and the Gwadar Smart Port City Master Plan

Industrial cooperation projects: These include special economic zones (SEZs) that aim to
promote industrialization, investment, and export in Pakistan. Some of the planned SEZs are
the Rashakai SEZ, the Dhabeji SEZ, the Allama Iqbal SEZ, and the Bostan SEZ Some of the
potential industries that can benefit from these SEZs are textiles, garments, leather,
chemicals, pharmaceuticals, engineering, and IT.

Social and economic development projects: These include projects that aim to improve the
quality of life, education, health, agriculture, tourism, and culture in Pakistan. Some of the
completed projects are the Cross-Border Optical Fiber Cable Project, the Pak-China
Friendship Hospital (Gwadar), and the Vocational Training Institute (Gwadar) Some of the
ongoing projects are the CPEC Scholarship Program, the CPEC Cultural Communication
Center, and the Agricultural Technology Demonstration Center

Some of the benefits of CPEC are:

Economic benefits: CPEC is expected to boost economic growth, trade, and investment
in both China and Pakistan, as well as the region. According to a study by the World
Bank, CPEC could increase Pakistan's GDP growth by 2.5 percentage points and create
over 1.1 million jobs by 2030. CPEC could also enhance China's access to the Middle
East and Europe, reducing its dependence on the Strait of Malacca and increasing its
energy security. ² CPEC could also foster regional cooperation and integration by
involving other countries such as Afghanistan, Iran, and Central Asian states.

Infrastructure development: CPEC aims to improve the infrastructure of Pakistan,


especially in the areas of energy, transport, and communication. CPEC includes projects
such as coal, hydro, wind, solar, and nuclear power plants that aim to address
Pakistan's energy shortage and diversify its energy mix. CPEC also includes projects
such as highways, railways, airports, and ports that aim to improve connectivity and
trade within Pakistan and with China. CPEC also includes projects such as special
economic zones (SEZs) that aim to promote industrialization, investment, and export in
Pakistan. CPEC also includes projects such as social and economic development
projects that aim to improve the quality of life, education, health, agriculture, tourism,
and culture in Pakistan.

Job creation: CPEC is expected to create millions of direct and indirect jobs in both
China and Pakistan, as well as the region. According to a report by the Planning
Commission of Pakistan, CPEC has already created over 75,000 jobs in Pakistan from
2015 to 2019. CPEC is also expected to create more jobs in the future as more projects
are completed and operationalized. CPEC could also provide opportunities for skill
development, entrepreneurship, and innovation for the people of both countries.
Importance of Gwadar and Projects Under it.

Gwadar is a port city on the southwestern coast of Pakistan. It is located on the Gulf of
Oman and is close to the Strait of Hormuz, a major shipping route. Gwadar is a deep-
sea port, which means that it can accommodate large ships.

Gwadar is a key part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). CPEC is a multi-
billion dollar infrastructure project that connects China to Pakistan through a network of
roads, railways, and pipelines. Gwadar is the terminus of CPEC, and it is expected to
play a major role in trade between China and the rest of the world.
There are a number of projects that are currently underway in Gwadar as part of CPEC.

These projects include:


● The Gwadar Port Development Project: This project is aimed at developing
Gwadar into a major deep-sea port. The project includes the construction of new
berths, a container terminal, and a cruise terminal.
● The Gwadar Free Zone: This project is aimed at attracting foreign investment
and creating jobs in Gwadar. The Free Zone offers a number of incentives to
businesses, such as tax breaks and simplified regulatory procedures.
● The Gwadar International Airport: This project is aimed at developing Gwadar
into a major regional aviation hub. The airport is expected to be completed in
2024.

The Gwadar projects are expected to bring a number of benefits to Pakistan, including:

● Increased economic growth


● Job creation
● Improved infrastructure
● Increased trade and investment
● Improved regional connectivity
The Gwadar projects are also important for China, as they provide a direct land route to
the Arabian Sea. This route is shorter and more secure than the current sea route
through the Strait of Malacca.
However, there are also some concerns about the Gwadar projects. Some people are
concerned that the projects could lead to environmental damage. Others are concerned
that the projects could make Gwadar a target of terrorism.

The Gwadar Ko Haq Do Movement

The Gwadar Ko Haq Do Movement (Gwadar Rights Movement) is a protest movement


in the Pakistani port city of Gwadar. The movement is demanding basic rights and
facilities for the local people, including access to clean water, electricity, and education.
The protesters also allege that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is not
benefiting the local people and is instead leading to environmental damage and
displacement.

The Gwadar Ko Haq Do Movement began in November 2021 and has been ongoing
since then. The protests have been met with a crackdown by the Pakistani government,
which has arrested several activists and restricted access to the internet in Gwadar.

The People Against CPEC is a coalition of civil society groups that are opposed to the
CPEC. The coalition argues that the CPEC is not transparent and that it is being
implemented without the consent of the local people. The People Against CPEC also
alleges that the CPEC is leading to environmental damage and displacement.

The Gwadar Ko Haq Do Movement and the People Against CPEC are both important
movements that are raising awareness about the challenges and risks associated with
CPEC. These movements are also demanding that the Pakistani government and the
Chinese government take steps to ensure that the local people benefit from CPEC.

Here are some of the key demands of the Gwadar Ko Haq Do Movement:
● Access to clean water, electricity, and education
● Jobs for local people in CPEC projects
● A share of the profits from CPEC projects
● Protection of the environment
● An end to the crackdown on activists
The Gwadar Ko Haq Do Movement has gained support from a number of people in
Pakistan, including politicians, activists, and journalists. The movement has also
received international attention, with several human rights groups expressing solidarity
with the protesters.
The People Against CPEC has also gained support from a number of people in Pakistan
and around the world. The coalition has organized protests and rallies against the
CPEC, and it has also published reports and articles on the challenges and risks
associated with the project.
The Gwadar Ko Haq Do Movement and the People Against CPEC are important
movements that are holding the Pakistani government and the Chinese government
accountable for the implementation of CPEC. These movements are also demanding
that the local people benefit from CPEC.

CPEC as a Second East India Company


The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a multi-billion dollar infrastructure
project that connects China to Pakistan through a network of roads, railways, and
pipelines. CPEC is part of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which is a massive
global infrastructure development strategy.
Some people have compared CPEC to the East India Company, a British trading
company that eventually colonized India. They argue that CPEC could lead to
neocolonialism, as China could use its economic clout to influence Pakistan's internal
affairs.
Here are some of the similarities between CPEC and the East India Company:
● Both CPEC and the East India Company are large-scale infrastructure projects
that connect China and Pakistan.
● Both CPEC and the East India Company are backed by powerful governments.
● Both CPEC and the East India Company have the potential to have a significant
impact on the economies and societies of China and Pakistan.
However, there are also some important differences between CPEC and the East India
Company:
● CPEC is a joint venture between China and Pakistan, while the East India
Company was a British company that ruled India.
● CPEC is a development project, while the East India Company was a trading
company.
● CPEC is still in its early stages of development, while the East India Company had
a long and complex history.
It is too early to say whether CPEC will lead to neocolonialism in Pakistan. However, it is
important to be aware of the potential risks associated with the project. It is also
important to ensure that the Pakistani government is able to protect its national
interests in the implementation of CPEC.
Here are some of the concerns that have been raised about CPEC:
● CPEC could lead to debt trap for Pakistan.
● CPEC could lead to environmental damage in Pakistan.
● CPEC could lead to displacement of people in Pakistan.
● CPEC could lead to increased Chinese influence in Pakistan's internal affairs.

It is important to weigh the potential benefits and risks of CPEC carefully before making
any decisions about the project. It is also important to ensure that the Pakistani
government is transparent about the implementation of CPEC and that it is accountable
to the Pakistani people.

Future of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor

The future of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is uncertain. The project
has been plagued by delays and cost overruns, and there are growing concerns about
its environmental and social impact.
One of the biggest challenges facing CPEC is the political situation in Pakistan. The
country has been plagued by instability and violence for many years, and this has made
it difficult to implement CPEC projects. In particular, the insurgency in Balochistan has
made it difficult to build and maintain CPEC infrastructure in the province.
Another challenge facing CPEC is the global economic slowdown. The COVID-19
pandemic has had a devastating impact on the global economy, and this has led to a
decline in investment in CPEC projects.
The environmental impact of CPEC is also a major concern. The project has been
criticized for its potential to pollute the air and water, and to damage fragile
ecosystems.
The social impact of CPEC is also a concern. The project has been criticized for its
potential to displace people and to exacerbate existing inequalities.
Despite these challenges, there are a number of factors that could lead to a successful
future for CPEC. One factor is the strong commitment of the Chinese government to the
project. China has invested heavily in CPEC, and it is committed to seeing the project
through to completion.
Another factor is the growing economic ties between China and Pakistan. China is
Pakistan's largest trading partner and its biggest source of foreign investment. This
close economic relationship is likely to ensure that CPEC remains a priority for both
countries.
Finally, CPEC has the potential to bring significant benefits to Pakistan. The project
could help to boost economic growth, create jobs, and improve infrastructure.
The future of CPEC will depend on a number of factors, including the political situation
in Pakistan, the global economic climate, and the environmental and social impact of
the project. However, there are a number of factors that could lead to a successful
future for CPEC.
Here are some of the things that could happen to CPEC in the future:
● CPEC could be completed on schedule and within budget, and it could bring
significant benefits to Pakistan.
● CPEC could be delayed and over budget, and it could have a negative impact on
Pakistan's economy and environment.
● CPEC could be abandoned due to the political situation in Pakistan or the global
economic climate.
● CPEC could be scaled down or modified to address concerns about its
environmental and social impact.
It is important to note that CPEC is still in its early stages of development, and it is too
early to say definitively what its future will be. However, it is important to be aware of
the potential benefits and risks associated with the project.

Conclusion

The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a multi-billion-dollar infrastructure


project that connects China to Pakistan through a network of roads, railways, and
pipelines. CPEC is part of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which is a massive
global infrastructure development strategy.
CPEC has the potential to bring significant benefits to Pakistan, including increased
economic growth, job creation, improved infrastructure, and increased trade and
investment. However, there are also a number of concerns associated with CPEC, such
as the potential for debt-trap diplomacy, environmental damage, social dislocation, and
increased Chinese influence in Pakistan's internal affairs.
It is important to weigh the potential benefits and risks of CPEC carefully before making
any decisions about the project. It is also important to ensure that the Pakistani
government is transparent about the implementation of CPEC and that it is accountable
to the Pakistani people.
The future of CPEC is uncertain. The project has been plagued by delays and cost
overruns, and there are growing concerns about its environmental and social impact.
However, there are a number of factors that could lead to a successful future for CPEC,
such as the strong commitment of the Chinese government to the project, the growing
economic ties between China and Pakistan, and the potential benefits that CPEC could
bring to Pakistan.
Overall, CPEC is a complex and ambitious project with the potential to transform
Pakistan's economy and society. However, it is important to be aware of the potential
benefits and risks associated with the project before making any decisions about it.

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