IMPORTANCE OF CPEC A CROWN JEWEL OF BELT AND ROAD INITIATIVE (BRI) FOR CHINA AND PAKISTAN

Abstract

For the last two decades, China has been advancing rapidly in multiple sectors compared to the years of progress before 2000. Despite opposing views from the U.S. regarding the progress of China, it is a fact that China is the rising power in the current globalized world. Beijing applies many strategies and programs to achieve success and the world's predominant status. In continuation of its plans, China introduced a global connectivity and development program, namely One Belt, One Road (OBOR), renamed the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), in 2013. The BRI is the biggest project in human history by a single country. China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)is a flagship project of BRI. It is considered the testing ground for the initiative's success. The Gwadar port project under the CPEC plays the role of a gateway for China toward Central Asia and the Middle East. China can export and import its goods quickly via this shorter and cheaper route. Therefore, the success of the CPEC keeps much significance for Beijing and Islamabad. Likewise, CPEC will prove the authenticity, reliability and credibility of BRI. For this reason, China is trying its best to complete the CPEC within a projected time. However, many countries raise questions about the authenticity and reliability of CPEC and BRI. However, despite negative connotations, the project's progress is evident. Keywords: CPEC, BRI, Realism, Dominance, NSR, FDI, Energy, Security.