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Transcript/ScriptTaliban China Wakhan
HEADLINE: Analysts: Completed Afghanistan-China road not yet ready for trade
TEASER: Experts doubt that China will open its border with Afghanistan as Beijing has security concerns
PUBLISHED AT: 09/18/2024 at 12:15pm
BYLINE: Afghan Service
CONTRIBUTOR: Roshan Noorzai, Noshaba Ashna
DATELINE: Badakhshan
VIDEOGRAPHER: Afghan Service
PRODUCER:
SCRIPT EDITORS: ELee, Reifenrath, DJ(ok)
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA original
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB _ TV _x_ RADIO _x_
TRT: 2:54
VID APPROVED BY: MAS
TYPE: TVR
EDITOR NOTES))
((INTRO))
[[Taliban officials in the northeastern province of Badakhshan announced the completion of a gravel road connecting Afghanistan to China early this year. Experts, however, doubt the road will become a trading route between the countries because it needs more work, and China still has security concerns. VOA’s Afghan Service has the story, narrated by Bezhan Hamdard.]]
((NARRATOR))
The mountainous Wakhan Corridor in northeastern Afghanistan's Badakhshan province used to be part of the historic Silk Route connecting China to the West. The Taliban first announced in January that they had completed a gravel road here connecting Afghanistan to China. Now its ceremonial dedication remains.
((FOR RADIO: Zabiullah Amiri is the Taliban’s director of culture and information.))
((Zabiullah Amiri, Taliban Official)) ((Male, In Dari))
“This route of Silk Road has been completed, and it will be inaugurated by high-ranking officials of the [Taliban’s] Islamic Emirate soon.”
The Wakhan Corridor is a narrow neck of land, just over 350 kilometers long, that separates Tajikistan from Pakistan and connects Afghanistan to China's Xinjiang region.
Afghanistan shares a 92-kilometer border with China, but the two countries have no land port. Afghanistan trades with China either via Central Asia or Pakistan.
The Stimson Center found that between 2022 and 2023, trade between the two countries more than doubled to $1.3 billion.The Taliban hope the completed road will facilitate even more trade with their Chinese neighbor.
((NARRATION))
This road is still not suitable for large vehicles like trucks and buses, but it’s the first step to a bigger infrastructure project at the border, says construction engineer Zahidullah Fakhri.
((Zahidullah Fakhri, Construction Engineer)) ((Male, Dari))
“Smaller cars, like Land Cruisers, can go easily to the border. There are two major bridges, which are big ones, and other construction such as protection walls and culverts. God willing, the work has been started and will soon be completed.”
((NARRATOR))
This mountainous area reaches 5,000 meters at its highest point. Long, harsh winters make living here tough. Those who live here welcome the road but say more needs to be done.
((radio: Zahidullah, who does not have a last name, lives in the Wakhan Corridor.))
((Zahidullah, Wakhan Resident)) ((Male, Dari))
“We would like them to pave this road because there is a lot of water. Many cars have got stuck in the water. Culverts should be constructed."
((NARRATION))
Experts say turning the gravel road into a major trade route will cost money.
((FOR RADIO: Hamidullah Farooqi is the former Afghan minister of transport and civil aviation.))
((Hamidullah Farooqi, Former Afghan Minister of Transport)) ((Male, In Pashto))
“To add economic value to the region and the world, there is a need for significant infrastructure investment, which can be an estimated 10 to 15 billion dollars for this project.”
((NARRATION))
Farooqi says Beijing has not yet made any commitment to open the border with Afghanistan and connect the road to roads within China.
((Hamidullah Farooqi, Former Afghan Minister of Transport)) ((Male, Pashto))
“I think China has not yet made any particular commitments in this regard because of the security threats and political instability in the region.”
((NARRATOR))
Fearing the potential spillover of militants into China, Beijing has repeatedly voiced its concern over “violent terrorist forces” in Afghanistan and has asked the Taliban to combat the problem and protect Chinese interests in the country.
((Bezhan Hamdard, VOA News))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
Subtitles / Dubbing AvailableNo
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateSeptember 18, 2024 14:55 EDT
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
