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The China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)}} is an ongoing development megaproject which aims to connect Gwadar Port in southwestern Pakistan to China’s northwestern autonomous region of Xinjiang, via a network of highways, railways and pipelines to transport oil and gas.〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=Economic corridor: Chinese official sets record straight )〕 The economic corridor is considered central to China–Pakistan relations and will run about 3,000 km from Gwadar to Kashgar. Overall construction costs are estimated at over $46 billion, with the entire project expected to be completed in several years. The Corridor is an extension of China’s proposed 21st century Silk Road initiative. According to a Firstpost report, "this is the biggest overseas investment by China announced yet and the corridor is expected to be operational within three years and will be a strategic gamechanger in the region, which would go a long way in making Pakistan a richer and stronger entity than ever before." Other than transport infrastructure, the economic corridor will provide Pakistan with telecommunications and energy infrastructure. The project also aims to improve intelligence sharing between the countries. China and Pakistan hope the massive investment plan will transform Pakistan into a regional economic hub as well as further boost the growing ties between Pakistan and China. The Pakistani media and government called the investments a "game and fate changer" for the region. According to ''The Guardian'', "The Chinese are not just offering to build much-needed infrastructure but also make Pakistan a key partner in its grand economic and strategic ambitions." The project will also open trade routes for Western China and provide China direct access to the resource-rich Middle East region via the Arabian Sea, bypassing longer logistical routes currently through the Strait of Malacca.〔 During the state visit of President of China Xi Jinping to Pakistan in April 2015, he wrote in an open editorial that "This will be my first trip to Pakistan, but I feel as if I am going to visit the home of my own brother." During his visit, Islamabad was dotted with slogans and signboards such as "Pakistan-China friendship is higher than the mountains, deeper than the oceans, sweeter than honey, and stronger than steel." In August 2015, the two countries signed 20 more agreements worth $1.6 billion to further boost the corridor. ==History== The project was first proposed by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Nawaz Sharif on 22 May 2013 in Islamabad. .〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=Li Keqiang urges development of ‘China-Pakistan economic corridor’ )〕 The Pak-China Economic Corridor Secretariat was inaugurated in Islamabad on 27 August 2013. In February 2014, Pakistani President Mamnoon Hussain visited China to discuss the plans for an economic corridor in Pakistan. Two months later, Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif met with Premier Li Kequiang in China to discuss further plans.〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=Nawaz Sharif, Li Keqiang to firm up plans for China-Pakistan Economic Corridor )〕 The project took shape during Sharif's tenure.〔 In November 2014, Chinese government announced that it will finance Chinese companies to build $45.6 billion worth of energy and infrastructure projects in Pakistan as part of CPEC. Documents quoted by Reuters show that China has promised to invest around $33.8 billion in various energy projects and $11.8 billion in infrastructure projects which will be completed by 2017 at most. The deal includes $622 million for Gwadar Port. According to Reuters, under the CPEC agreement, $15.5 billion worth of coal, wind, solar and hydro energy projects will add 10,400 megawatts of energy to the national grid of Pakistan.〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=China commits $45.6 billion for economic corridor with Pakistan )〕 On 20 April 2015, Pakistan and China signed an agreement to commence work on the $46 billion agreement, which is roughly 20% of Pakistan's annual GDP,〔 with approximately $28 billion in immediate projects and the rest allocated for projects in the pipeline. The deal includes a $44 million fibre optic cable〔 and will add 10,400 Megawatts to Pakistan's energy grid through coal, nuclear and renewable energy projects.〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=What China’s and Pakistan’s special friendship means )〕 Also included are major upgrades to Pakistan's transport infrastructure, including: *Karakorum Highway (Havelian in the Abbottabad District to Thakot) * Karachi-Lahore Motorway (Multan to Sukkur) * The Gwadar Port East Bay Expressway Project * Gwadar International Airport The plan also includes projects to address climate change, joint research in cotton Biotech and marine research, cooperation between China's General Administration of Press and Publication and Pakistan's Ministry of Information and Broadcasting as well as an agreement between China Central Television, PTV and the Pakistan Television Foundation on the rebroadcasting of CCTV news and documentary programs in Pakistan. Some cities have been made sister cities – Chengdu in Sichuan province and Lahore, and Zhuhai in Guangdong province and Gwadar.〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=Ministry Of Planning, Development & Reforms – Press Releases )〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「China–Pakistan Economic Corridor」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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