Pakistan is sending its first large shipment of Chinese goods through its Gwadar port to other nations such as the United Arab Emirates. The move shows the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, or CPEC is transforming from concept to reality.

Trucks took the goods from Kashgar in northwest China's Xinjiang to Pakistan's southwestern province of Baluchistan. The 3,000-kilometer or so journey took about 15 days.

Pakistan's prime minister and army chief attended a welcoming ceremony and witnessed the loading of goods onto containers on Sunday.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said the CPEC will offer great opportunities for people in the region. He said that Pakistan will continue to support the building of the Corridor, and also the China-proposed Belt and Road initiative.

He said, "Pakistan is located at the intersection of three engines of growth in Asia, South Asia, China and Central Asia. CPEC will help in integrating these regions into an economic zone offering great opportunities for people of the region as well as investors from all over the world."