CPEC to CPAEC: aspiration to actualisation

The article paints a promising picture of transforming CPEC into CPAEC, should Afghanistan officially join hands with Pakistan and China under the Belt and Road Initiative. The recent tripartite meeting in Beijing has breathed new life into the aspiration of regional interdependence, peace and shared prosperity. With milestones like the Peshawar-Kabul motorway, the China-Iran strategic partnership, and the envisioned industrial corridors from Chabahar to Central Asia, this corridor is not just a road but a potential lifeline for Afghanistan’s war-ravaged economy. The author’s own PhD research reinforces this belief, with overwhelming support from respondents for the idea that economic cooperation breeds peace and stability.

The proposed CPAEC promises to be a game changer an engine for job creation, poverty alleviation, women empowerment and environmental protection. Drawing parallels with post-WWII Europe’s ECSC, the author envisions economic interdependence as a strategic antidote to conflict. However, hurdles persist in the form of external threats and internal instability, yet the hope remains that mutual economic gain will silence the guns. As the author rightly points out, when people’s livelihoods are tied to such projects, they will guard them with their lives. This corridor isn’t just about connectivity, it’s about collective destiny.

Overview:

This article highlights the strategic vision of transforming the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor into a trilateral initiative with Afghanistan rebranded as CPAEC. It emphasizes how shared economic interests and infrastructural integration can serve as a catalyst for peace, development, and long-term regional stability. The corridor is seen as a tool not just for trade, but for trust.

NOTES:

The article outlines the growing possibility of transforming CPEC into CPAEC by including Afghanistan, following recent positive developments like the China-Afghanistan-Pakistan tripartite meeting in Beijing. It recalls the 2019 trilateral agreement on the Peshawar-Kabul motorway and highlights China’s $400 billion comprehensive partnership with Iran in 2020, which aims to strengthen connectivity through Chabahar and Central Asia. The author argues that Afghanistan’s inclusion in CPAEC would multiply benefits across Eurasia by fostering regional trade, industrial growth, and shared prosperity. Economic interdependence through initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative, CPEC and the proposed CPAEC could alleviate poverty, create jobs, empower women, protect the Environment and stabilize the region. The article draws historical parallels with post-war Europe’s ECSC, suggesting that inclusive economic frameworks can prevent conflict. It also stresses the importance of public participation in protecting such projects, stating that when people’s livelihoods are tied to development, they naturally become its guardians. Though external threats and internal instability persist, the article urges perseverance, emphasizing that collective economic gains can forge long-term regional harmony.

Relevant CSS Syllabus Topics:

• International Relations
  • Regional and global integration frameworks (e.g., BRI, CPEC)
  • Geo-economics and regional cooperation
  • Pakistan-China relations
  • Role of economic corridors in diplomacy
• Pakistan Affairs
  • CPEC and its strategic importance
  • Pakistan’s foreign policy and relations with neighboring countries
  • Socio-economic development and regional connectivity
  • Role of Pakistan in regional peace and economic collaboration
• Current Affairs
  • Afghanistan’s role in regional development
  • Shifts in regional alliances and trade partnerships
  • Tripartite cooperation: China-Pakistan-Afghanistan
• Essay Paper
  • Regional Connectivity and Development
  • Geostrategic Position of Pakistan
  • The Future of Economic Corridors in Asia
• General Science and Ability (for MCQs)
  • Basic knowledge of international projects like BRI and CPEC

Notes for Beginners:

CPEC stands for China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, a major economic project connecting Gwadar Port with China’s Xinjiang region. Now, there are talks of including Afghanistan to turn it into CPAEC. For instance, a road from Peshawar to Kabul will improve trade and connectivity. This is similar to how Europe formed strong economic links after World War II to avoid future wars. When countries depend on each other economically, they are less likely to fight. Afghanistan can gain jobs, industries and stability from this. Over 94% of people in a research study agreed that such cooperation can bring peace and prosperity.

Facts and Figures:

• China-Iran MoU: $400 billion partnership over 25 years
• Over 94% survey respondents in PhD research supported CPAEC for peace and development
• CPAEC includes oil sector development, industrial zones, and transnational corridors

To sum up, this article is a roadmap of possibility, driven by diplomacy and shared interest. It urges the region to think beyond borders and conflicts, and to build a future grounded in economic interdependence. While challenges remain, the vision is clear only through collective growth can lasting peace take root in South and Central Asia.

Difficult Words and Meanings:

• Entwined – closely interlinked (Synonym: interwoven | Antonym: separate)
• Predicament – a difficult situation (Synonym: dilemma | Antonym: solution)
• Apprehensions – fears or concerns (Synonym: anxieties | Antonym: confidence)
• Complementing – adding to enhance (Synonym: supplementing | Antonym: contradicting)
• Inimical – harmful or hostile (Synonym: antagonistic | Antonym: friendly)
• Emancipation – liberation or release (Synonym: freedom | Antonym: captivity)
• Constituents – components or parts (Synonym: elements | Antonym: whole)
• Alleviation – relief or reduction (Synonym: mitigation | Antonym: aggravation)