DM Monitoring
ISLAMABAD: As China and Pakistan mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations, their all-weather strategic cooperative partnership has delivered billions in investment, major infrastructure development and job creation under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, according to a factsheet released by the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad, with Gwadar emerging as a central hub of regional connectivity.
The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a central component of the Belt and Road Initiative, has attracted $25.93 billion in investment and created more than 261,000 jobs, as per the factsheet. CPEC has added over 8,000 megawatts of power generation capacity and developed more than 510 kilometres of road infrastructure, along with 886 kilometres of core transmission lines.
Gwadar has seen a series of projects aimed at transforming the coastal city into a regional connectivity hub. These include the Gwadar Port’s expansion under the flagship project, which features deep-water berths capable of handling large cargo vessels and oil tankers.
The Gwadar International Airport, described as a state-of-the-art facility, is expected to accommodate some of the world’s largest aircraft. Social sector initiatives have also been rolled out, including the China-Pakistan Friendship Hospital, which has treated over 350,000 patients, and a seawater desalination plant producing about 3,000 tons of fresh water per day to address local shortages. Over 10,000 households have been provided with solar panels.
Education and skills development have also been part of the effort. The China-aided Technical and Vocational Institute in Gwadar provides thousands of training opportunities annually, while schools in the region have been upgraded to expand access to education.
Across Pakistan, CPEC projects span energy, transport and industry. In Punjab, projects such as the Sahiwal coal power plant (1,320 MW), Karot Hydropower Plant ((720MW), and Lahore’s Orange Line Metro have improved energy supply and urban mobility. In Sindh, nuclear and wind power projects have boosted electricity generation, while major road networks like the Sukkur-Multan Motorway have reduced travel times. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Suki Kinari Hydropower Project has been generating 884 MW of clean energy, with estimated coal savings of 1.28 million tons per year and a reduction of 3.2 million tons of CO2 annually.
Industrial cooperation is also expanding. The Haier-Ruba Special Economic Zone and textile ventures in Punjab are expected to generate tens of thousands of jobs and increase exports.
Bilateral trade remains strong, with China maintaining its position as Pakistan’s top trading partner for 12 consecutive years. The volume of bilateral trade exceeded $25 billion in 2025. In the first eight months of FY 2025-26, 53.2% of total foreign direct investment came from China.
The factsheet also highlighted cooperation in agriculture, space technology and education.
The two sides have established the CPEC Consortium of Universities with 130 member institutions. Pakistani satellites have been launched with Chinese support, while thousands of Pakistani students and professionals have received training in China.
Cooperation has also expanded in culture and media organisations in both countries. “Ba’Tie Girl,” the first co-production film between China and Pakistan, was released in 2024. Similarly, the Chinese film “Ne Zha 2” had its public screening in Pakistan in 2025. Over the past three years, media organisations from the two countries have signed 12 cooperation memorandums.
China has also extended humanitarian assistance to Pakistan during times of need, providing $2 million in cash and 100 million RMB in aid during the 2025 floods; in 2025, Chinese doctors treated eight Pakistani children with congenital heart defects; and between 2024 and 2025, China donated 70,000 health kits to Balochistan, benefiting 766 schools across 23 districts. Following the 2022 floods, it also delivered 100 million RMB in emergency aid, including 25,000 tents, and an additional 300 million RMB in relief materials.
