Aerial photo taken on August 24, 2023 shows the G314 National Highway and Pamir Avenue interchange in Pahataikeli Township, Kashgar City, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily (Reporter/Photographer Cai Zengle) news: The break of dawn casts a gentle glow upon the enchanting old town of Kashgar, where an exquisite gate opening ceremony is scheduled to unfold. The drum beat resonates with a crisp clarity, the trombone exudes a melodious harmony, and traditional stringed and woodwind instruments emit sounds pleasing to the ears, attracting visitors from all over the world to come and feel the charm of the old town or look for business opportunities here.

Photo taken on August 23, 2023 shows 62-year-old Mamat Tursun (front left), who came to the old town of Kashgar from Yecheng County to watch the gate-opening ceremony of the old town of Kashgar in Kashgar City, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

Kashgar, known as Shule in ancient times, was situated on the illustrious Silk Road. It stands as a pivotal city in the core area of the Silk Road Economic Belt and serves as the very genesis of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. Nestled between the majestic Kunlun Mountains to its south and the resplendent Tianshan Mountains to its north, this city has long served as a vital conduit for transportation and trade along the historic Silk Road, boasting unparalleled geographical advantages, abundant material resources, economic and cultural prosperity, as well as unrivaled convenience for commerce and travel.

On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the proposal of jointly pursuing the Belt and Road Initiative, Xinjiang Daily “Road of Prosperity—Belt and Road Reporting Project” interview team, came to Kashgar and saw the new changes and achievements that have taken place in Kashgar in the past ten years in the fruitful results of one landing project after another, in the departure of China-Europe freight trains one after another, and in the happy smiling faces of people.

Photo taken on August 23, 2023 shows cargo-loading trucks prepare for customs clearance in the Kashgar Comprehensive Bonded Zone, Kashgar City, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. The Kashgar Comprehensive Bonded Zone was established in September, 2014 with the approval of the State Council and was officially put into operation in April 2015.

The unparalleled geographical advantages of Kashgar connecting five countries and bridging Europe and Asia have become prominent, and international freight train routes from Kashgar to Pakistan, Hungary, Belgium and other countries have been opened one after another; China-Europe (Central Asia) freight trains run one after another; the three first-class open ports of khunjerab, Karasu and International Airport are becoming increasingly busy; the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan multimodal transport channel and new trial channel of China-Europe Land-Sea Express Line were launched.

The modern integrated three-dimensional transportation network, which combines railway, highway, and airway systems, has effectively facilitated the logistics channels between Kashgar and coastal cities as well as neighboring countries. This enables merchants to travel from south to north or vice versa, while also facilitating the smooth exportation of goods towards the west. The trade between Kashgar and countries along the Belt and Road, particularly the five Central Asian nations, has witnessed a significant surge, contributing to enhanced trade prosperity. In the first half of this year, the total import and export value of the Kashgar Comprehensive Bonded Zone reached 18.29 billion yuan, marking a twofold increase compared to the previous year.

Photo taken on August 22, 2023 shows a freight truck loaded with goods set off from Kashgar City, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. On the same day, the first TIR international road transport from Kashgar, Xinjiang, China to Islamabad, Pakistan began, and five freight trucks loaded with daily necessities, agricultural products and equipment departed from Kashgar, being expected to arrive in Islamabad in five days.

The city of Kashgar, situated at the core area of the Silk Road Economic Belt and serving as a crucial component in the autonomous region's "one land port area, two zones, five hubs and port economic belt" layout, has exhibited a renewed sense of dynamism. Kashgar, in its pursuit of the Belt and Road Initiative, is fostering international friendships with a more inclusive mindset, an enhanced industrial system, and elevated service standards as it propels towards a future on the Belt and Road.

Photo taken on August 24, 2023 shows a large passenger plane takes off from Kashgar International Airport, Kashgar City, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

Photo taken on August 22, 2023 shows customs officials inspect the departing freight trucks of the first TIR international road transport from Kashgar, Xinjiang, China to Islamabad, Pakistan in Kashgar City, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

Photo taken on August 22, 2023 shows Pakistani freight workers attend the departure ceremony of the freight trucks of the first TIR international road transport from Kashgar, Xinjiang, China to Islamabad, Pakistan in Kashgar City, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

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