Aarish U. Khan
Aarish U. Khan is a Research Analyst at the Institute of Regional Studies.
DOI: http://DOI Number
Keywords: Regional connectivity, CPEC, Pakistan, interests, Special Economic Zone (SEZ), Vision 2025, projects, dividends
Abstract
Regional connection is a key component of the Pakistani government’s newly revealed Vision 2025. President Xi Jinping described China’s periphery or neighbourhood diplomacy as being founded on four principles: amity, sincerity, benefit, and inclusivity during the Conference on “Diplomatic Work with Neighboring Countries” in Beijing in October 2013. In May 2013, an agreement was made to create the Pakistan China Economic Corridor (PCEC), which would link Pakistan’s Gwadar Port with Kashgar towards western China, not far from Pakistan’s border. This was a significant step in the creation of the “China-Pakistan Community of Shared Destiny.” China is creating a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Kashgar, which would necessitate large foreign resources coming from or passing through Pakistan in order for the area to expand quickly. The less developed western region of China now has quick access to the warm waters of the Arabian Sea thanks to Pakistan’s Gwadar Port, which also significantly cuts down on the time and resources needed to move commodities to and from western China and West Asia. It is crucial to ask questions about the speed of construction on the ground and the PCEC’s design after it is finished. With the help of regional connectivity and Pak-China trade, as envisioned in the Vision 2025 document, the PCEC hopes to strengthen the economies of Pakistan and China. The answers to these questions will help evaluate how successful the PCEC can be in achieving these goals. This paper attempts to answer these important questions, especially whether the short-term or early harvest projects are on schedule or not, because progress on the short-term project would serve as a barometer for the timeline for the long-term ones. Additionally, the paper also critically analyzes the dividends that the PCEC is expected to bring to the country.
First Published
December 25, 2014
How to Cite
Aarish U. Khan, “Pak-China Economic Corridor: the Hopes and Reality,” Regional Studies 33, no.1 (Winter 2014-15): 45-63, https://regionalstudies.com.pk/wp/article/pak-china-economic-corridor-the-hopes-and-reality/
Issue
Volume 33, Issue 1