China Pakistan Green Cooperation Accelerates

China Pakistan Green cooperation accelerates, as a model for sustainable development strengthens, according to an expert.

Pakistan and China are enhancing collaboration in emerging green sectors through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Mustafa Hyder Sayed, executive director of the Pakistan-China Institute, shared in a recent interview with the Global Times.

Sayed described the green CPEC initiative as a global model of people-centered, win-win cooperation, advancing new energy transition and sustainable economic development.

These remarks were made ahead of the 8th China-South Asia Expo, scheduled for July 23-28 in Kunming, Yunnan Province. According to the Chinese Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM), green energy will be a focal point of business cooperation during the Expo.

Sayed emphasized accelerating Chinese industry relocation and technology transfer to Pakistan, enhancing bilateral green sector cooperation. “This will spur local economic development and energy transition while enabling Chinese firms to benefit from Pakistan’s lower production costs, facilitating China’s green engagements with Central Asia and the Middle East,” he noted.

CPEC, a key project under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), is evolving into a green economic corridor. Sayed highlighted CPEC’s significant benefits to Pakistan, including alleviating energy shortages, improving connectivity, developing infrastructure, and revitalizing ports.

Pakistan is committed to renewable energy projects and eco-friendly initiatives within the green CPEC, leveraging Chinese expertise and technologies. Sayed acknowledged the necessity of financial support from China, suggesting investments from Panda Bonds and green bonds to fund these projects.

Since its inception in 2013, CPEC has created 236,000 jobs in Pakistan and contributed to the development of 510 kilometers of highways, 8,000 megawatts of electricity generation capacity, and 886 kilometers of expressway network. Projects like wind and hydroelectric energy in northern Pakistan are key efforts toward diversifying the energy mix, aiming for 30 percent green energy capacity by 2030.

In June, the China-built Suki Kinari Hydropower project in northwest Pakistan began its wet testing phase, marking progress in renewable energy cooperation under CPEC.

Looking ahead, Sayed expects more joint ventures, focusing on localizing solar panel manufacturing in Pakistan. “We aim to facilitate low-carbon investment from China into Pakistan, establish clear green investment criteria, and ensure projects’ financial viability, security, and profitability,” he stated.

Pakistan-China cooperation exemplifies people-centric collaboration, Sayed noted. He praised China’s focus on ecological and environmental protection, viewing it as a model for Pakistan’s modernization.

In late May, China and Pakistan announced five new corridors for the second phase of CPEC, including Innovation and Green Corridors. Pakistani officials aim to attract more Chinese investment in renewable energy and modern agriculture projects.

Sayed criticized Western countries’ attempts to smear China’s image and create controversy around BRI cooperation, labeling such efforts as part of a containment strategy. He emphasized that the Global South looks to China for leadership as the world economy shifts eastward.

Sayed is optimistic about China’s growth, noting the resilience of the Chinese economy despite external challenges. He highlighted China’s “dual circulation” development pattern as a sustainable path driven by both domestic and international demand.