The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was conceived in July 2013 during Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's visit to China and formally launched during Chinese President Xi Jinping's historic visit to Pakistan in April 2015. The initiative began with the signing of 52 agreements and Memorandums of Understanding worth US$46 billion.

CPEC is a long-term strategic programme designed to promote industrialisation, trade facilitation, regional connectivity, integration into global value chains and socio-economic development. Its scope also includes poverty alleviation, agricultural modernisation, the operationalisation of Gwadar Port and promotion of the blue economy. Over time, cooperation has expanded into science and information technology, while remaining open to third-party participation.

As CPEC moves into its second phase, emphasis is shifting towards inclusive socio-economic development and the Sustainable Development Goals. Pakistan and China have reiterated their commitment to five priority corridors: Growth, Innovation, Green Development, Livelihood Improvement and Regional Openness. These also broadly align with Pakistan's National Economic Transformation Plan, URAAN Pakistan.

Over the past decade, CPEC has evolved from a connectivity initiative into a wider development framework. Under its first phase, 15 of 17 approved projects have reportedly........

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