A wary China on November 15 sought to downplay reports of mass protests against the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects at Pakistan's port city Gwadar, saying they are not targeted against the multi-billion-dollar initiative, amid growing concerns about the security of hundreds of Chinese personnel working there.

According to a report in the Pakistan-based Dawn newspaper on November 14, hundreds of children joined the ongoing protests in Gwadar which entered its 18th day on Sunday. The Economic Times of India said protesters are threatening to block the CPEC projects if their demands, which included banning illegal trawling in Gwadar, are not met within a week.

"These reports are untrue," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told a media briefing. "The organizers have said in public that the protests are not targeting the Chinese side or the CPEC," Mao said.

The protests by the locals against the $60 million CPEC have been taking place for several months.

In 2021, the Dawn newspaper in a scathing editorial said, "Gwadar port has long been portrayed as the jewel in the CPEC crown, but in the process, the city has become the very embodiment of a security state," with government focusing on securing the port and its ancillary interests while neglecting the welfare of the local people.