China’s geo-economic gambit in Pakistan An investigation on the strategic implications of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor

Sammanfattning: States are increasingly applying economic means of power to pursue political objectives. The Chinese geo-economic mega-project the Belt and Road Initiative is the worlds foremost example of this trend. At the heart of this strategy, both geographically and strategically, is the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. This infrastructure project, worth approximately $62 billion, is expected to revitalise the Pakistani economy as well as transform the regional power balance. This thesis analyses the implications of the Chinese investments on Pakistan’s geo-economic significance in the region as well as the risks associated with the bilateral project. The study is conducted within a geo-economic analytical framework and applies a mixed methods methodology to investigate the ongoing constructions. This thesis concludes that while many of the planned projects within the CPEC-framework have not yet been materialised, the investments have already increased Pakistan’s strategic importance for China and its geo-economic security. Furthermore, the study finds that although the project is foremost based on strategic necessities, the land-corridor has the potential of becoming a facilitator of economic activity in the entire region and thereby decrease military tensions.