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China - Pakistan Economic Corridor - CPEC
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Pakistan is the central node on BRI, a US$1.4 trillion infrastructure project, connecting 150 countries through land and sea.
Given the highly developed air corridor between UAE and Pakistan and the fact that the closest and most developed ports to Gawadar are in UAE, in combination promise to make the UAE<->Pakistan trade corridor one of the busiest on the network.
China signs new deals worth $213 billion under the Belt and Road Initiative in 2025
China's Belt & Road Initiative (BRI) just shattered records, signing $213.5 billion in new deals for 2025, a stunning 75% surge. The total now exceeds $1.4 trillion across 150 nations. But the real story is the strategic pivot.
The focus has sharply turned to Africa and Central Asia, with a dual energy strategy creating a stark paradox. 2025 was simultaneously the initiative's "greenest and dirtiest" year. While clean energy investments hit new peaks, fossil fuel deals tripled to $71.5 billion, representing over 74% of all energy engagement, the highest reliance since 2014.
Concurrently, China executed a massive minerals grab. Metals and mining investments reached a record $32.6 billion, with roughly 60% concentrated in Kazakhstan alone, a nation sitting on reserves of 15 critical rare earth elements.
Given the highly developed air corridor between UAE and Pakistan and the fact that the closest and most developed ports to Gawadar are in UAE, in combination promise to make the UAE<->Pakistan trade corridor one of the busiest on the network.
China signs new deals worth $213 billion under the Belt and Road Initiative in 2025
China's Belt & Road Initiative (BRI) just shattered records, signing $213.5 billion in new deals for 2025, a stunning 75% surge. The total now exceeds $1.4 trillion across 150 nations. But the real story is the strategic pivot.
The focus has sharply turned to Africa and Central Asia, with a dual energy strategy creating a stark paradox. 2025 was simultaneously the initiative's "greenest and dirtiest" year. While clean energy investments hit new peaks, fossil fuel deals tripled to $71.5 billion, representing over 74% of all energy engagement, the highest reliance since 2014.
Concurrently, China executed a massive minerals grab. Metals and mining investments reached a record $32.6 billion, with roughly 60% concentrated in Kazakhstan alone, a nation sitting on reserves of 15 critical rare earth elements.
Russia's "Warm Water" Ambition become reality....
Russia has officially backed Pakistan's proposal to connect Pakistan's deep-water Gwadar Port to the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC). This strategic alignment merges the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) with the INSTC to provide Moscow with direct, efficient trade access to the Arabian Sea
Maritime & trade sources indicate that Russian commercial cargo vessels have already begun utilizing Gwadar for shipping & transshipment activities.
Russia has officially backed Pakistan's proposal to connect Pakistan's deep-water Gwadar Port to the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC). This strategic alignment merges the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) with the INSTC to provide Moscow with direct, efficient trade access to the Arabian Sea
Maritime & trade sources indicate that Russian commercial cargo vessels have already begun utilizing Gwadar for shipping & transshipment activities.
Yuanization of Trade Under CPEC: Pakistan–China Economic Integration (2011–2026)
The infographic highlights a steady rise in the use of the Chinese yuan in Pakistan–China trade, closely aligned with the deepening economic integration under the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Starting from negligible usage in 2011, yuan-denominated transactions gradually increased through pilot initiatives & expanded cooperation, reaching around 14% by 2023 & projected to rise further to 24% by 2026.
This trend reflects CPEC’s broader push toward financial & trade localization, reducing reliance on third currencies & strengthening direct monetary settlement between the two countries.
The infographic highlights a steady rise in the use of the Chinese yuan in Pakistan–China trade, closely aligned with the deepening economic integration under the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Starting from negligible usage in 2011, yuan-denominated transactions gradually increased through pilot initiatives & expanded cooperation, reaching around 14% by 2023 & projected to rise further to 24% by 2026.
This trend reflects CPEC’s broader push toward financial & trade localization, reducing reliance on third currencies & strengthening direct monetary settlement between the two countries.
Pakistan Approves Its Longest-Ever Tunnel Under CPEC
Pakistan has approved the 172-km Mansehra–Naran–Chilas Motorway under CPEC & the most notable part of the project is the planned 13.5-km Babusar Tunnel, which would be the longest tunnel ever built in the country.
If completed as planned, it could provide a safer, year-round route through the northern areas & reduce dependence on the Karakoram Highway, especially during periods of difficult weather.
It will be interesting to see how the project progresses & what impact it has on regional connectivity and tourism.
Pakistan has approved the 172-km Mansehra–Naran–Chilas Motorway under CPEC & the most notable part of the project is the planned 13.5-km Babusar Tunnel, which would be the longest tunnel ever built in the country.
If completed as planned, it could provide a safer, year-round route through the northern areas & reduce dependence on the Karakoram Highway, especially during periods of difficult weather.
It will be interesting to see how the project progresses & what impact it has on regional connectivity and tourism.