Beyond Infrastructure: Socio-Economic Transformation and Cultural Exchange through CPEC

Abstract

The objective of this research is to analyze the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor through a social sciences lens, examining how infrastructure investment, regional connectivity, and trade integration intersect with issues of nation-building, cultural exchange, and development equity. This research examines that while CPEC promises significant contributions to Pakistan’s economy—particularly in energy security, foreign direct investment, and regional uplift—it also functions as a site of soft power projection, evident in educational exchanges, language promotion, and cultural diplomacy. This research shows that the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship project of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), has emerged as both an economic opportunity and a socio-political phenomenon in the region and beyond. The study highlights the dual potential of CPEC: to foster socio-economic transformation and cross-cultural understanding, The research is signifant as it argues that the Project is not only an economic corridor but also incorporates far-reaching implications for Pakistan’s future. The research recommends that, while the China Pakistan Economic Corridor has immense economic potential, there is a greater need to explore social and cultural aspects of the Corridor to reap its benefits to both countries and the region.