Afghanistan completes Wakhan Silk Road highway reaching China border

Afghan officials in Badakhshan say construction of the Silk Road highway through the Wakhan Corridor has been completed after five years of work, extending Afghanistan’s road network toward its remote border with China. The provincial Rural Rehabilitation and Development Department said the road runs for about 121.13 kilometres from the Barghil area to Baza-i-Gonbad near the Chinese frontier. Officials said the route is between seven and ten metres wide and includes three major bridges. The road is expected to be formally opened for use in the near future. The project is strategically important for Afghanistan because the Wakhan Corridor is the country’s only direct geographic link with China. Afghan authorities have promoted the route as part of efforts to improve access for isolated communities and eventually expand regional trade and transit options. However, completion of the road does not by itself mean that a fully operational Afghanistan-China commercial corridor has opened. Earlier assessments noted that customs facilities, border infrastructure and additional transport investment would still be required for large-scale international trade. Afghanistan’s Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development said earlier this year that work on the Wakhan road was advancing, while the Chinese ambassador had also discussed the project with Afghan officials. The latest announcement marks completion of the road construction phase reported by provincial authorities.