Chinese Society and Infrastructure

[VCheng]

It would basically be the new “Burma” road for China in case something goes down in the Strairs of Malacca. But on a day to day basis, it could help jump start BRI again and really make the corridor part of CPEC stand out. The key would be getting shipping costs of some good between Western China and the GCC, by rail to be cheaper than by ship. Especially products that would be time sensitive.

That is what Pakistan thinks. But, judging from @Beijingwalker 's comments above, do the Chinese think like that too? Seems unlikely.

 

[FuturePAF]

Unless similar raiway networks are also available there in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Tajikstan waiting to be connected, otherwise it makes no sense for China to build such a costly high altitude railway line leading to nowhere.

Isn’t there a Standard gauge railway between China-Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan? A spur to Tajikistan can connect the densely populated Fergana Valley Shared between Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.

Connecting the Uzbek Route through Afghanistan to Pakistan is one way. But Afghanistan is not stable. A direct route is more reliable to have for contingencies.

 

[FuturePAF]

That is what Pakistan thinks. But, judging from @Beijingwalker 's comments above, do the Chinese think like that too? Seems unlikely.

They don’t see the profitability in it. I don’t blame them. Pakistan is a large enough market on its own, that if it had its economic act together, connecting to Pakistan alone should have made the prospect worth it.

 

[FuturePAF]

Altitude of this road is 4,200 meters above the sea level, higher than average Tibet, no railway planning for this region is reported, but there's a new modern airport just opened last year. tourist can also visits Tashkurgan by air.

What are the logistical needs for this area of China?

 

[VCheng]

Connecting the Uzbek Route through Afghanistan to Pakistan is one way. But Afghanistan is not stable. A direct route is more reliable to have for contingencies.

And Pakistan is?

 

[VCheng]

They don’t see the profitability in it. I don’t blame them. Pakistan is a large enough market on its own, that if it had its economic act together, connecting to Pakistan alone should have made the prospect worth it.

Facilitating further a flood of cheap Chinese imports will only have other consequences for Pakistan. Just sayin'.

 

[FuturePAF]

And Pakistan is?

Fair point. Hence all the more reason to accept this is the time to turn it around. They are leaving major opportunities on the table.

 

[Beijingwalker]

Isn’t there a Standard gauge railway between China-Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan?

Yes, but China and Kazakhstan border region is very flat with ideal weather, many cities are in this general region on both sides of the border

 

[FuturePAF]

Facilitating further a flood of cheap Chinese imports will only have other consequences for Pakistan. Just sayin'.

There are something Pakistan won’t be competitive in making. Pakistan needs to focus on those things it can be international competitive in making, such as pharmaceuticals (if we can get a decent petrochemical industry up and running at competitive prices), and cheaper Chinese inputs can help in that regard.

 

[FuturePAF]

Yes, but China and Kazakhstan border region is very flat with ideal weather, many cities are in these general region on both sides of the border

Is there a standard gauge railway connection all the way into Uzbekistan?

The Afghan raiwlay needs $5 Billion, the Modernization of Pakistan’s ML-1 needs $10 Billion, and an extension to Gwadar probably needs a further $5 Billion. Oil shipments via this route would be quicker to build and easier to operate. Shipping a lot of goods by rail would be cheaper and could absorb business from local trucking companies to recoup investment, on a 5-10 year BOT basis.

 

[Beijingwalker]

Is there a standard gauge railway connection all the way into Uzbekistan?

The Afghan raiwlay needs $5 Billion, the Modernization of Pakistan’s ML-1 needs $10 Billion, and an extension to Gwadar probably needs a further $5 Billion. Oil shipments via this route would be quicker to build and easier to operate. Shipping a lot of goods by rail would be cheaper and could absorb business from local trucking companies to recoup investment, on a 5-10 year BOT basis.

中国和哈萨克的铁路规矩不一样。 中国采用1435毫米的国际标准轨距。而哈萨克斯坦属于前苏联范围,采用1520毫米的宽轨距。俄罗斯也是1520毫米的轨距。 所以在中哈交界的阿拉山口口岸要换车轮。
The railway regulations in China and Kazakhstan are different. China adopts the international standard gauge of 1435 mm. Kazakhstan, which belongs to the former Soviet Union, uses a wide gauge of 1520 mm. Russia also has a 1520mm gauge. Therefore, the wheel needs to be changed at Alashankou Port at the junction of China and Kazakhstan.

 

[Beijingwalker]

Awesome Road!

Are visitors allowed to take in their own drones to get shots like the ones above? Aksin ferra frand.

No problem, every tourist flies drones there.
Tashkurgan town, drone video by a tourist

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[Beijingwalker]

Tashkugan, remotest corner on the Pamir Plateau, last Chinese town before Afghanistan and Pakistan​

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[VCheng]

No problem, every tourist flies drones there.
Tashkurgan town, drone video by a tourist

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Thank you for that confirmation. I just wanted to confirm the information given here, if you can please corroborate that this as a reliable source:

Flying a Drone in China | 2023 Regulations + Travel Tips

If you plan to fly a drone in China, it's crucial that you know China's regulations on drones & how to register your drone with the CAAC.

www.travelchinacheaper.com

 

[FuturePAF]

中国和哈萨克的铁路规矩不一样。 中国采用1435毫米的国际标准轨距。而哈萨克斯坦属于前苏联范围,采用1520毫米的宽轨距。俄罗斯也是1520毫米的轨距。 所以在中哈交界的阿拉山口口岸要换车轮。
The railway regulations in China and Kazakhstan are different. China adopts the international standard gauge of 1435 mm. Kazakhstan, which belongs to the former Soviet Union, uses a wide gauge of 1520 mm. Russia also has a 1520mm gauge. Therefore, the wheel needs to be changed at Alashankou Port at the junction of China and Kazakhstan.

I know they have the old Soviet tracks but I thought they had laid down new track in the same gauge as the Chinese railway. I guess not.