Future trajectories of the China–Pakistan economic corridor: Challenges and opportunities for regional cooperation


Asif S., Ullah R.

I. Lisansüstü Akademik Çalışmalar Kongresi [1st Graduate Academic Studies Congress], İstanbul, Türkiye, 4 - 05 Mayıs 2026, (Özet Bildiri)

  • Yayın Türü: Bildiri / Özet Bildiri
  • Basıldığı Şehir: İstanbul
  • Basıldığı Ülke: Türkiye
  • İstanbul Gelişim Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

This study explores the future trajectory of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and examines how it can evolve from a bilateral initiative into a broader platform for regional connectivity. As a flagship project of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), CPEC holds significant economic and strategic importance for both Pakistan and China, with the potential to enhance trade, infrastructure development, and regional cooperation across Asia. The research analyses CPEC’s economic, political, and strategic dimensions using qualitative methods based on academic literature, policy reports, and expert perspectives. Grounded in theoretical frameworks such as Economic Interdependence, Neoliberal Institutionalism, and Regional Connectivity, the study evaluates how increased trade, institutional cooperation, and infrastructure development contribute to regional integration. The findings highlight that CPEC has already contributed to improvements in energy, transport, and industrial infrastructure, while also creating opportunities for economic growth, employment generation, and enhanced connectivity linking Central Asia, the Middle East, and beyond. However, the study also identifies several challenges, including governance issues, security concerns, regional political tensions, environmental impacts, and unequal distribution of benefits within Pakistan. Additionally, geopolitical dynamics, including competition among global and regional powers, further complicate the implementation and expansion of CPEC.

 

Keywords: China, Pakistan, Economic Corridor, Regional Cooperation, Challenges, Opportunities.