Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily (Reporter Fan Qiongyan, Guo Ling) news: On the morning of August 24, 2023, Adil Axim, a patrolman of the Kashgar Long-distance Transmission Branch of China Telecom Corporation Limited, began to make preparations for next week’s work: applying for a car and waiting for approval. He opened the garage, checked the vehicles and tools, and reported safety information on the system. At 10:11 am BJT, he set off.

In the remote mountains along the border in the majestic Pamir Plateau, a network of interconnected optical fiber cables ensures smooth communication between China and Pakistan, while also bearing witness to the China-Pakistan friendship.

Photo shows Adil Axim climbs up the communication pole as a patrolman of the China-Pakistan cross-border optical fiber cable. (Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily/ Cai Zengle)

Adil Axim is a patrolman responsible for maintaining the China-Pakistan cross-border optical fiber cable. He is in charge of maintaining a 155.2-kilometer cable route from Kashgar City to Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County, then to the Khunjerab Border Outpost in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. This route includes 96 kilometers of uninhabited areas with harsh natural conditions.

With the proposal of jointly pursuing the Belt and Road Initiative, in the second half of 2014, China Telecom Xinjiang Company started the construction of the first cross-border optical fiber cable project, which connects China and Pakistan directly. And it runs from Urumqi, to Kashgar, northwest China’s Xinjiang, then passes through the China-Pakistan border at the Khunjerab Pass, finally reaching Rawalpindi, Pakistan, with a total length of 2950 kilometers. The project was completed in early 2015.

The Kashgar Long-distance Transmission Branch of China Telecom Corporation Limited is responsible for the management of over 900 kilometers of cross-border optical cable route. Abduwahap Rozi, the deputy director of the branch, introduced that the China-Pakistan optical fiber cable passes through the Karakoram Mountains, the Kunlun Mountains, the Pamir Plateau, and the Himalayas, and goes through the Khunjerab Pass at an altitude of 4733 meters. Most of the areas along the entire route have complex geological and topographical conditions and high altitudes, requiring passage through nearly 100 kilometers of uninhabited areas.

"After the completion of the project, Adil Axim has been responsible for the maintenance of the cables in places where conditions are hardest for nearly nine years, and has shown great performance. The cables in his charge have never been blocked since their completion." Abduwahap Rozi said.

“From here, the optical fiber cable goes from underground to above ground, and this is Pole 1." The reporter followed Adil Axim at the intersection of G314 National Highway and Ying'ayimak Road in Kashgar City. Adil Axim pointed to a communication pole and told the reporter that there were 2,225 such poles on the line he was responsible for maintaining. He had to pass every communication pole and tower, and even climb them.

Due to long-term outdoor work, Adil Axim's skin has been tanned dark. At the age of 47, deep wrinkles have appeared on his forehead and corners of his eyes.

Standing under the communication pole, Adil Axim first used a test pencil to test whether there was any leakage of electricity, then hugged the pole tightly with both hands and shook it vigorously. "The communication pole is shared by multiple units and has been used for almost 10 years. It is necessary to check whether it is firm." As he spoke, he tied on the safety rope, put on the ankle buckle, climbed to the top of the pole step by step, checked whether the accessories were aged or damaged, and if they were, he would replace them in time.

A reporter of the Xinjiang Daily “Road of Prosperity—Belt and Road Reporting Project” interview team also tried to climb the pole. After climbing to a height of two meters, the reporter's legs began to shake uncontrollably. However, Adil Axim can climb up to 60 poles in a day. “This is nothing. When patrolling and climbing the poles at an altitude of over 4,700 meters, it's hard to breathe, and I also get headaches,” said Adil Axim.

Every week, Adil Axim conducts patrols by car and a foot patrol of more than 8 kilometers. The total number of foot patrols reaches 1,125 kilometers every year. Every patrol mission is a test of courage and physical strength. Climbing mountains, crossing ridges and rivers, and ziplining are the norm. Facing high cold, high altitude, and a lack of oxygen are even more common for him.

In the past nine years of maintenance work, Adil Axim has traveled 10,125 kilometers on foot and more than 310,000 kilometers by car, which is equivalent to 8 times around the earth.

The first 60 kilometers are residential areas, and it is necessary to prevent damage to optical fiber cables caused by human activities. The remaining 96 kilometers are uninhabited areas with complex natural environments. Sand and falling rocks can cause optical fiber cable failures. "Once a fault occurs, no matter day or night or what kind of weather, I have to rush to the scene for repairs." Adil Axim said.

Walking and patrolling on the road for years, Adil Axim ensures the smooth operation of the cables. Crossing the desert, climbing the mountains, wading through rivers, walking alone in the wilderness, and enduring the loneliness that ordinary people find hard to bear, Adil Axim feels that his persistent dedication over the years is worthwhile. He said, “Although my job is ordinary, it is of great significance. What we are guarding is not only communication lines, but also the emotional bond between people and between countries."

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