Abstract :
CPEC project (China – Pakistan Economic Corridor) being the flagship project of Belt & Road
Initiative initially witnessed a planned investment of $ 46.6 billion which Beijing intitated and
now it is extended to $62 billion and would be completed in the next few years. CPEC is not only
aimed at connecting Kashgar to Gwadar but it is also considered to be the Zipper of Central Asia
with South Asia, Moscow and Beijing with the Middle East and Africa. CPEC is specifically
envisioned beneficial for economic security for Pakistan in a crucial time when Pakistan is
isolated and badly damaged by the War on Terror since September 2001. Islamabad and Beijing
have developed strong ties despite their ideological differences. This research work sheds light on
the economic cooperation between the two neighboring states i.e. China and Pakistan in the
context of Beijing's huge investment in Pakistan. The study analyzes CPEC from political,
economic, and social perspectives. The study reveals that CPEC is the venture of economic and
strategic depth for Pakistan.
Keyword :
OBOR, BRI, CPEC, Economic strategic depth, Cooperation, Beijing, Islamabad.