Hu Tingting
In 2013, the Chinese government proposed the construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. In April 2015, during his visit to Pakistan, President Xi Jinping stated that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor should play a leading role in the international cooperation of both countries. As the flagship project of the Belt and Road Initiative, the corridor has garnered widespread attention from both China and Pakistan.
1. Visionary Leadership: High praise from Pakistani leaders Despite the ever-changing international and domestic situations, the Pakistani government’s support for the corridor construction remains steadfast.In September last year, during a meeting with the Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan, the Pakistani side expressed heartfelt gratitude to China for its long-standing support for Pakistan’s development. Pakistan is willing to maintain close communication with China, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, learn from China’s development experience, actively promote corridor construction, and expand cooperation in fields such as agriculture, minerals, and information technology, for the benefit of both countries’ peoples.In September 2021, Mansoor, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister of Pakistan on Corridor Affairs, stated in an interview, “The corridor is one of the most important projects for Pakistan’s economic recovery and will create a win-win situation for economic development between Pakistan and China. The corridor construction adheres to the concept of sharing the fruits of development with local people, bringing tangible benefits to the Pakistani people. For example, in Gwadar, due to natural conditions, local people have long lacked clean drinking water and electricity supply. The construction by Chinese companies has brought convenience to the daily lives of local people. Projects such as hospitals and the new international airport under construction give local people hope for improving their livelihoods.”
Pakistani leaders have consistently expressed firm support for corridor construction, affirming its positive impact on Pakistan’s national development from the perspective of national construction. The strong guidance of leaders from both sides has provided direction and clarity of goals for corridor construction and development.
2. Pooling Wisdom: Pakistani Scholars Deciphering the Corridor’s New Advantages
Since the 18th National Congress, President Xi Jinping has championed a neighborhood diplomacy marked by “amity, sincerity, mutual benefit, and inclusiveness.”
Currently, the corridor is entering a new phase of high-quality development, with bilateral cooperation between China and Pakistan deepening across various sectors including industry, agriculture, technology, and social welfare. Pakistani experts and scholars have warmly welcomed and acknowledged these advancements.
Professor Muhammad Khan from the International Islamic University Islamabad, specializing in politics and international relations, remarked, “The corridor has brought economic prosperity to various regions of Asia, particularly economically disadvantaged areas, with Pakistan being one of the countries benefiting from this initiative.” He further noted, “The corridor’s construction has significantly influenced Pakistan’s agricultural landscape. With the introduction of modern agricultural technology, corporate and community-based farming trends are emerging across different regions of Pakistan, greatly promoting agricultural development.”
Dr. Abdul Sattar Abbasi, Associate Professor of Management Sciences and Director of the Islamic Finance Center at COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI), reflected on the historical and cultural foundations of the corridor, stating, “The corridor and the China-Pakistan relationship perfectly embody the concept of ‘unity in diversity.’ The two countries share extensive similarities in social and cultural aspects and have a history of cooperation and mutual trust at the government level.”
As one of the six major corridors under the Belt and Road Initiative, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor connects the major economies of Central Asia, South Asia, and the Indian Ocean coast, extending to Pakistan and China’s Xinjiang Autonomous Region. This unique regional connectivity offers Pakistan opportunities to enhance its strategic geopolitical and economic position, potentially transforming it into a regional trade and investment hub.
Faisal Zahid Malik, CEO and Editor-in-Chief of the Pakistan Observer, commented, “President Xi Jinping’s proposal of regional connectivity and the people-centered development model inspired the advancement of the corridor as an integral component of the Belt and Road Initiative. Undoubtedly, the corridor has brought numerous benefits to Pakistan’s economic connectivity. The construction of highways, ports, and energy infrastructure has improved Pakistan’s transportation and energy supply efficiency. Chinese investment in Pakistan aids in attracting foreign investment.”
3. Wide Acclaim: Corridor Development Extensively Benefits the People of Pakistan
The developments of the past decade demonstrate that corridor construction isn’t aimed at specific regions or groups but rather benefits all Pakistanis.
In terms of transportation, multiple roads planned under the corridor have been completed, reducing travel time for residents and enhancing travel safety. In the energy sector, rapid progress has been made in China-Pakistan energy cooperation. As of now, 13 power projects (with a total installed capacity of 8,020 megawatts) and a high-voltage direct current transmission line (with a total transmission capacity of 4,000 megawatts) have been commercially operational. This has greatly alleviated Pakistan’s power shortages and brought new ideas, technologies, and investments for clean energy development.
The corridor benefits Pakistanis by creating numerous job opportunities, training technical personnel, and improving local labor quality. Throughout planning, construction, and operation, Chinese companies actively promote localized talent management, conduct technical lectures and skills training courses, communicate and exchange with Pakistani counterparts, and not only train a large number of high-quality labor forces but also establish a local talent training system, fundamentally changing Pakistan’s talent shortage situation.
Over the past ten years since the launch of the corridor, it has benefited the people of Pakistan through economic construction and promoted further integration and development between China and Pakistan, serving as a vivid interpretation of the all-weather friendship between the two countries. Looking ahead, both countries will continue to uphold the principles of cooperation, harmony, inclusiveness, mutual benefit, and sustainability, jointly build a closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era, and create a bright future for corridor construction.
