CPEC and Skepticism

CPEC and Skepticism

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China has dominated the multifaceted discussions on global economy and politics since the second decade of 21st century. China’s ambition to realize its potential did not go unnoticed by the developed world. Its mega development plans are seen with suspicion from its rivals in region and all over the world. The latest and most prominent of such plans is Chinese Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), also known as New Silk Road and One Belt One Road (OBOR). The initiative was launched in 2013 by Chinese President Xi Jinping and stretches over three continents (Asia, Europe and Africa), giving China access to about 60 percent of the world population. It includes vast network of roads, pipelines, energy projects and railway in the 70 countries along the BRI and amounts to around $575 billion. China Pakistan Economic Corridor (erstwhile referred to as CPEC) is a cog in the greater BRI. The corridor will connect Chinese remote western region to Indian Ocean through corridor in Pakistan, minimizing the transportation cost and distance for China. Governments of Pakistan and China shook hands on the $46 billion (now $62 billion) CPEC in April 2015.

The project includes a series of transportation infrastructure and energy projects. Where Pakistan welcomed this golden opportunity, China’s regional rival India and its global rival United States (US) geared up to keep the project from being operational. A series of actions have come into light from rivals to undercut the CPEC continuity. Pakistan and China have categorically denied the allegations on CPEC and refused to give in to the pressure. However, in long run it will be a tough test of Pakistan-China relations to not let this opportunity fall and open the doors to a promising future for Asia altogether.

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