The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is an important part of the China-initiated Silk Road Economic Belt. It was agreed upon by both countries in May 2013, a few months earlier than the broader economic belt.
The CPEC aims to create a 3,000-km economic corridor, a planned network of roads, railways and energy infrastructure, between the ports of Gwadar in Pakistan and Kashgar in Xinjiang, so as to help lift Pakistan out of its economic slumber and boost growth for Chinese economy.