Pakistan, China signed agreement to launch a special satellite to monitor CPEC

Pakistan and China on 20 April 2016 signed an agreement for the launch of a special satellite to monitor the development of the 46 billion US dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects.

Pakistan Minister for Planning, Development and Reform, Ahsan Iqbal on behalf of Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) and China Great Wall Industry Cooperation (CGWIC) President Yin Limping signed the agreement in Islamabad, Pakistan.

This bilateral cooperation between the two nations in space domain would open new arena of socio-economic and scientific cooperation. It would give boost to the historic bilateral cordial relations in other fields.

Features of the Project CPEC agreement

• The two sides agreed for the development and launch of the Pakistan Remote Sensing Satellite (PRSS-1) System and in this regard launch a satellite in June 2018.

• Space technology is fundamental in socio-economic development, infrastructure upgradation, agriculture production, urban planning in new era.

• The agreement would also transfer space technology to Pakistan and the PRSS-1 is yet another flagship project between China-Pakistan relations after CPEC.

• The new project would also help Pakistan in national security arena by strengthening border security and surveillance apparatus.

China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)

The CPEC is a 46 billion US dollar project launched with the help of China to connect western China to southern Pakistans port city of Gawadar. It would give access to Beijing into the Arabian Sea.

Indian Context on the Project

India has been protesting the corridors passing through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir ever since the project was kicked off by President Xi Jinping during his visit to Islamabad in 2015.

India is concerned as this corridor would impact the security of the Nation.

Now get latest Current Affairs on mobile, Download # 1 Current Affairs App