• It is a 3,000-km infrastructure route linking China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region with Gwadar Port in Balochistan, Pakistan. 
• It is a bilateral project between Pakistan and China to enhances connectivity in Pakistan through highways, railways, pipelines and infrastructure development. 
• It allows China access to the Middle East and Africa via Gwadar Port and supports Pakistan’s energy needs and economic stabilization. 
• CPEC is a part of the Belt and Road Initiative. 
• India has continuously opposed the project since it passes through the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir territory of Gilgit-Baltistan. 
• It sought to diminishing India’s claim over the 73,000 sq km piece of land which is home to more than 1.8 million people.

Route of CPEC

Belt and Road Initiative

• Launched: 2013. 
• It represents a multifaceted development strategy aimed at enhancing global connectivity and cooperation. 
• The project was first named the ‘One Belt, One Road’ but renamed as the BRI to convey a more open and inclusive initiative as opposed to a Chinese-dominated one. 
• It aims to link Southeast Asia, Central Asia, the Gulf region, Africa and Europe with a network of land and sea routes. 
• The initiative includes two principal components: the Silk Road Economic Belt and the Maritime Silk Road.