In recent times, Chinese foreign policy has transformed considerably and it is apparent that China now aims to reinvent its global image and also step-up its clout and impact at the international level. It also aims to give rise to an economic order that serves Chinese interests, something that China cannot expect from the largely Western-dominated institutions.
The establishment of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) was a decisive step in this direction. In a broader sense, this can be related to China’s ambitious "One Belt One Road" (OBOR) initiative which envisages the revival of the erstwhile Silk Road through two major projects- A Silk Road Economic Belt and a 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. In April 2015, President Xi Jinping announced 46-billion-dollar investment plans in Pakistan in the shape of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) which will connect the Chinese city of Kashgar to the strategically located Gwadar Port in Pakistan. This was conceived as a part of the OBOR initiative. Although a daunting undertaking, the successful completion of this project would result in unparalleled economic and strategic gains for both the parties involved. Also, the increased cooperation between these two neighbors engenders major ramifications for the foreign relations of both the countries. This thesis attempts to take a closer look at the CPEC and expound the strategic implications of the project for both China and Pakistan.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Chapter 1
Research Methodology
Literature Review
Chapter 2
One Belt One Road: The Significance and the Scope of the Initiative
Topographical Framework of the Belt Road Initiative
Immediate Benefits of the One Belt One Road Initiative
Chapter 3
The Concept of Economic Corridor
China-Pakistan Economic Corridor – Taking Stock of the Range of Projects under the Initiative and the Scope of the Undertaking
Chapter 4
Analysis of the Strategic Implications of and Challenges to the CPEC, in the Context of the OBOR
The Reactions of Regional and International Actors
Discussion - Why is the CPEC indispensable for OBOR’s Success?
Conclusion
Objectives and Thematic Focus
This thesis examines the strategic relationship between China and Pakistan, specifically focusing on how the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) acts as a pivotal element within China’s broader "One Belt One Road" (OBOR) initiative. It analyzes the geopolitical implications for both nations, as well as the regional challenges, including security risks in Balochistan and Gilgit-Baltistan, and the evolving interests of global stakeholders.
- The theoretical underpinnings of Chinese foreign policy (Realism, Liberalism, and Constructivism).
- China's regionalization policy and the strategic significance of the OBOR framework.
- Detailed implementation, scope, and potential roadblocks of the CPEC project.
- The impact of regional security concerns on project continuity and bilateral relations.
- The role of institutional mechanisms and financial entities like the AIIB and the Silk Road Fund.
Excerpt from the Book
The Concept of Economic Corridor
In order to grasp the scale and magnitude of the CPEC project and to understand its exact constitution, it is very important to first take a brief look at the concept of economic corridors in general.
According to Arvis, Smith and Carruthers, the concept of a “corridor” was adopted so as to get a handle on the difficulties related to the ease of access in terms of trade in landlocked countries (as cited in Goh, Khong Kie, & Santos, 2014, p. 1). Arvis, Raballand, and Marteau opine that the corridor concept has subsequently widened to comprise transport, trade, logistics, economic, and also supply chain corridors (as cited in Goh et al., 2014, p.1). The term economic corridor appertains to any transport network which assists and aids the flow of goods and services along with people in addition to the transfer of information. Economic corridors do not simply facilitate the establishment of solid infrastructures like highways and roadways, railways or ports but they also consist of engaging in the creation of softer foundations such as enabling trade and building trade capability (Octaviano, 2014). Asian countries have been increasingly trying to reduce political disintegration, social schisms, religious rifts and the resultant endemic conflicts between the largely analogous economies in the region and the concept of economic corridors has emerged as quite the paternoster under such circumstances (Safitri, 2012).
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: Outlines the strategic partnership between China and Pakistan and sets the research context for analyzing the CPEC within the OBOR initiative.
Chapter 1: Describes the qualitative and descriptive-analytical research methodology used to investigate the project's strategic and geopolitical impact.
Chapter 2: Explores the significance of the OBOR initiative, its historical roots, and the accompanying regional and financial mechanisms established by China.
Chapter 3: Defines the concept of economic corridors and provides a comprehensive overview of the history, scope, and specific infrastructure projects of the CPEC.
Chapter 4: Critically analyzes the challenges, security risks, and strategic implications of the CPEC, concluding with a discussion on the initiative's indispensability for OBOR’s success.
Keywords
China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, CPEC, One Belt One Road, OBOR, Silk Road, Geopolitics, Regionalization, Foreign Policy, Infrastructure, Gwadar Port, Balochistan, Constructivism, Realism, Energy Security, International Relations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this thesis?
The work investigates the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to understand its strategic significance and its role as a core component of China's "One Belt One Road" (OBOR) initiative.
What are the main thematic areas covered?
The thesis explores international relations theories, China's regionalization policy, economic infrastructure development, and the geopolitical landscape of South Asia.
What is the primary research question?
The thesis aims to answer what the strategic implications of the CPEC are for China and Pakistan, and what impediments might hinder the successful implementation of the OBOR and CPEC initiatives.
Which scientific methodology is applied?
The author employs a qualitative, descriptive-analytical research approach, utilizing primary and secondary sources to assemble and analyze the project's development.
What is treated in the main body of the work?
The main body covers the theoretical foundation of China’s foreign policy, the topographical framework of the OBOR, detailed technical and energy projects under the CPEC, and a critical analysis of security and political challenges.
Which keywords best characterize this research?
Key terms include CPEC, OBOR, Geopolitics, Regionalization, Gwadar Port, and China-Pakistan relations.
Why is the CPEC considered a "game-changer"?
It is viewed as a game-changer because it connects China to the Middle East and Africa, bypassing the Strait of Malacca while transforming Pakistan into a central regional economic node.
What are the major security concerns mentioned?
The research highlights insurgencies in Balochistan, the "Uyghur dilemma" in Xinjiang, and regional rivalries involving India that threaten the safety of Chinese workers and project infrastructure.
How does China address regional security threats?
China attempts to use "socialization" and economic engagement to mollify regional fears, while Pakistan has established a special security division to physically protect the CPEC projects.
Does the work address the route controversy?
Yes, the thesis discusses the significant controversy regarding the preference of the eastern alignment over the western route and the resulting political tension between Pakistani provinces.
- Citation du texte
- Madhumanti Debnath (Auteur), 2016, Strategic Implications of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/375337
