Pak-China CPEC link: Gwadar port, Urumqi emerge as major trade centres

Pakistan's Gwadar post, an important destination in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has become the hub of activity as the first shipment of seafood arrived in Urumqi, Northwest China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.

The CPEC project, a flagship project of China's Belt and Road (B&R) initiative has seen Gwadar's stocks rise among Chinese companies who have invested heavily in the port city.

"The 1,150 kilograms of seafood represents the first time that Urumqi's airport was allowed to handle fresh goods from Pakistan," China's state-run Global Times said, adding that seafood and fruit can become "bright spots" in Pakistan's exports to China.

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Ürümqi which is the capital of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in northwestern China has emerged as an important link in the CPEC chain.

The Gwadar port in Pakistan's restive Balochistan province has been developed under CPEC linking western China through Pakistan with the Middle East, Africa and Europe.

Most seafood and fruit from overseas arrive at Urumqi through ports in other provinces. This is the first time Urumqi airport has been allowed to handle fresh goods from Pakistan, China's Xinhua noted.

Urumqi airport has 41 international routes to 21 countries, mainly in central, west Asia and Russia.

Xinjiang is a key area for opening up to the west and a "core area" on the Silk Road Economic Belt, Xinhua observed.

Meanwhile, India is keeping a close watch as China expands its naval force in Gwadar port, Chinese navy ships are expected to dock at the facility in the near future.

Last year, China has handed over two ships to the Pakistan Navy to safeguard the strategic Gwadar port and trade routes under the $46 billion CPEC project.