At Munir-Yi Meet, China Flags Delays In CPEC Projects, Warns Pakistan On Iran Fallout | Exclusive

Last Updated:April 01, 2026, 14:00 IST

Beijing also pressed Islamabad to initiate dialogue with Afghanistan, warning that prolonged tensions in the region could derail both CPEC’s current phase and future plans

Beijing has urged Pakistan to accelerate pending projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and fully operationalise Gwadar Port, citing both strategic and commercial imperatives, sources with access to the recent meeting between Pakistan’s Field Marshal Asim Munir and China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi have told CNN-News18.

Chinese officials reportedly emphasised the need for fool-proof security for Chinese nationals and assets in Pakistan, noting that any escalation in Iran-linked instability along Pakistan’s western border could compromise the viability of Gwadar as a trade and energy hub. “If Gwadar were fully operational today, Pakistan and China would be making more progress and profits," a top diplomatic source told CNN-News18.

Beijing also pressed Islamabad to initiate dialogue with Afghanistan, warning that prolonged tensions in the region could derail both CPEC’s current phase and future plans. “Do trade and deescalate with Afghanistan as soon as possible," Chinese officials reportedly instructed their Pakistani counterparts, reiterating their vision of connecting Afghanistan with Gwadar Port to expand trade routes.

The Gwadar project is seen as a strategically crucial gateway to the Persian and Arabian Gulf, potentially serving as an alternative to multiple Arabian ports. Chinese officials have stressed that Gwadar and its surrounding city must become alternative destinations for Middle Eastern trade, underscoring the urgency of completing Phase 1 CPEC projects, which have been pending for over a decade.

Security concerns have further slowed progress, with Chinese projects in Gwadar reportedly halted since February 2026. Beijing’s message to Islamabad was clear: without completing existing projects and ensuring robust security, CPEC 2.0 investments would not proceed.

Despite the warnings, China has also reassured Pakistan of its support in proposed US-Iran mediation efforts, reaffirming Islamabad’s status as an “all-weather strategic partner", while advising it to align policies toward regional stability.

Intelligence sources note that Iran-related instability along Pakistan’s western border is now a strategic pressure point for China. Any escalation threatens Chinese personnel and investments in Balochistan, highlighting the delicate intersection of trade ambitions and security concerns that Beijing and Islamabad must navigate in the months ahead.

News world At Munir-Yi Meet, China Flags Delays In CPEC Projects, Warns Pakistan On Iran Fallout | Exclusive

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