The China-Tajikistan Highway, now being upgraded by Chinese contractors, is cutting through the rugged Pamir Mountains, boosting trade and weaving new bonds between the two nations in one of Central Asia's most remote regions.
The road is the only direct route connecting Tajikistan's capital Dushanbe to the high-altitude Badakhshan region within the Pamir Mountains and onward to China via the Karakoram Highway.
China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) is undertaking the project to upgrade the road and expects to complete construction in 2026. At its most complex section, Chinese engineers are excavating up to 67 meters vertically to widen the roadway.
"We've reached the most challenging point on the entire route, the K54+400 meters. We literally have to lower this entire mountain to achieve the roadbed widening we need," said Jiang Shulin, a CRBC project manager.
Despite the hardship, this road represents profound progress for the Tajik workers. Once a grueling 18-hour journey, key sections of the route now take just 10 hours -- a lifeline for communities long isolated by harsh terrain.
"Thanks to this road, travel time has already been cut by eight hours. This road has been broken for so many years. The Chinese came, and now it will be fixed. This is such a noble thing!" said Sadriddin Nilobekov, a construction worker.
The road also brings economic opportunities for China and Tajikistan, as villagers along the route report unprecedented easier access to goods.
"Without this road, it would take me four days to get things from Dushanbe. Yesterday, I just ordered, and it arrived today! These Chinese workers are my friends! My children, right from birth, will see such a good road," said Kishvarsho Kabirov, a villager.
Jiang, the project manager, has been working on overseeing construction for 12 years. He has seen accelerated volume of Chinese exports from daily necessities to electric cars.
"There's a remarkable surge in Chinese self-driving tourists, And a flood of Chinese goods, especially electric vehicles, now flows through daily, marking a significant shift in trade," said Jiang.
When completed next year, the upgraded highway will further cement China’s Belt and Road Initiative footprint in Tajikistan. The route serves as a critical overland corridor between western China and Central Asia's markets.
As night falls over the Pamirs, the highway remains alive with trucks navigating switchbacks -- a testament to how a single road is rewriting the region’s economic economy and human geography.
China-Tajikistan Highway under renovation transforms travel, trade in remote mountains
Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Saturday China is willing to work with Lesotho to strengthen exchanges on governance experience, enhance coordination in multilateral affairs, and advance the China-Lesotho strategic partnership.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when meeting with Lesotho Prime Minister Sam Matekane in the capital of Lesotho.
During the meeting, Wang congratulated Lesotho on the 60th anniversary of its independence this year, and spoke highly of Lesotho government's efforts to prioritize economic development and steer the African country onto a path of sustainable growth. Since the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in 2024, the two sides have advanced cooperation under the 10 partnership action plans unveiled at the summit, successfully implementing a number of key projects to effectively promote Lesotho's development and revitalization, Wang said.
China stands ready to work with Lesotho to strengthen exchanges on governance experience, enhance coordination in multilateral affairs, and push for greater development of the China-Lesotho strategic partnership, he added.
Calling on the two sides to firmly support each other, Wang said that China will accelerate the implementation of its zero-tariff policy for African countries, including Lesotho, expand bilateral trade, investment and industrial cooperation, facilitate broader access of Lesotho's specialty products to the Chinese market, and continue to support Lesotho's national development.
China will continue to stand firmly with African countries, uphold justice for the Global South, including Lesotho, oppose unilateralism and acts of bullying, and work together to build a community with a shared future for humanity, Wang said.
On his part, Matekane said during the meeting that Lesotho cherishes its friendship with China and the strategic partnership between the two countries, and expressed gratitude for China's valuable support for the development of African countries, including Lesotho.
Lesotho firmly adheres to the one-China principle and resolutely supports China in safeguarding its core interests, he said, noting that his country stands ready to strengthen strategic mutual trust with China, expand people-to-people exchanges, jointly implement the outcomes of the FOCAC Beijing Summit, and deepen cooperation in areas such as infrastructure, manufacturing and energy.
Matekane stressed that China's zero-tariff policy for African products will inject new impetus into Lesotho's development. He also expressed Lesotho's willingness to strengthen solidarity and cooperation with China on multilateral platforms such as BRICS to jointly address global challenges.
On the same day, Wang also held talks with Lejone Mpotjoana, minister of foreign affairs and international relations of Lesotho.
China, Lesotho to strengthen exchanges, advance cooperation
