Chinese President Xi Jinping yesterday hailed a $46 billion economic corridor as a "historic development opportunity" for Pakistan.
Pakistani and Chinese officials on Monday signed more than 50 accords to inaugurate the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which will create a network of roads, railways and pipelines linking China's restive west to the Arabian Sea through Pakistan.
The project is part of Beijing's "Belt and Road" plan to expand its trade and transport footprint across Central and South Asia.
They will run some 3,000km (1,800 miles) from Gwadar in Pakistan to China's western Xinjiang region.
The projects will give China direct access to the Indian Ocean and beyond.
The Chinese projects dwarf an American assistance package to Pakistan of $5 billion that began in 2010. But Beijing said it was not interested in supplanting Washington in the region, preferring to see the US maintain its support.
Meanwhile, Pakistan yesterday conferred its top civilian award 'Nishan-e-Pakistan' on Chinese President Xi Jinping for his outstanding contribution in promotion of relationship between the two countries. 
The awards-giving ceremony was organised at the President House where president Mamnoon Hussain conferred the award on 61-year-old Xi. 
The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, federal ministers, members of National Assembly and Senate, services chiefs and Chinese delegation.