Decade of CPEC and BRI, with a theme of "From Vision to Reality," concluded on July 25. (Photo/Muhammad Zamir Assadi)

The government has received an overwhelming response over the 10-year celebrations of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) across the country, particularly after the two-day international conference held in the capital last week which brought together esteemed participants with diverse expertise to delve into the socio-economic impact of the CPEC.

The two-day International conference, Decade of CPEC and Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), with a theme of "From Vision to Reality, organized by the Ministry of Planning Development & Special Initiatives in collaboration with the Embassy of the Republic of China, concluded on July 25 amid to continue to implement the CPEC for the country’s prosperity. 

The key objective of the conference was to bring together policymakers, scholars, practitioners, and other stakeholders to exchange ideas and insights related to economic, social, environmental and geopolitical impacts of CPEC and BRI. Hundreds of participants from across the world particularly from China took part highlighting the achievements of the 10-year celebration of CPEC.

The conference revolved around the socio-economic impact of CPEC, opportunities for industry relocation, regional connectivity, technology transfer, cooperation for security, geopolitical implications, and maximizing synergies in CPEC and BRI initiatives, and people-to-people connectivity.

Over the decade, the two countries have developed strong bonds in diverse fields and call themselves “Iron Brothers’. CPEC effectively helped Pakistan in improving its energy security as well as transport networks from north to south and laid the foundation for a resilient infrastructure including ports, airports, roads, and railway.

The platform provided an opportunity to review CPEC's achievements in fostering economic growth and cooperation between China and Pakistan over the past decade. A high-level delegation from China has arrived in Pakistan on his two-day official visit which is part of the CPEC’s celebrations.

It is noted that since the government came into power in April 2022, the CPEC projects have been revived which remained shelved by the previous government. Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif already reiterated his full commitment to complete the CPEC projects and in this regard, he visited China when he took charge as a PM.  

Under the conference different technical sessions were held which include Socio-Economic impacts of CPEC, Prospects of Regional Connectivity Through Gwadar Port, Opportunities for Industrial Relocation and Export s; Green Technologies and Development; Security and Geopolitical Implications; Innovation, Technology and Global Value Chains; Challenges to Regional Connectivity and Integration, Artificial Intelligence and Labour Market Dynamics.

With an overwhelming response to the call for papers, the conference also showcased the extensive research and panel discussions featuring distinguished experts aiming to encourage candid conversations and seek solutions to the challenges CPEC presents, fostering an inclusive and respectful environment that paves the way for future growth and excellence.

The call for papers received an overwhelming response, with 435 extended abstracts from over 85 national and international institutes. A Rigorous evaluation led to shortlisting 310 abstracts, and 110 were accepted for full-paper submissions. 62 authors were invited to present their research during eight sessions of the conference.

The Planning Ministry appreciated co-sponsors which include the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad and the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan, along with recognition for the scientific and organizing committees' efforts for this conference.

The author is a journalist with Country Media Group and a media fellow of the China South Asia and South East Asia Press Center.

The article reflects the author’s opinions, and not necessarily the views of iChongqing and Bridging News.