World

China to build airport close to Gilgit-Baltistan

China will construct the airport on the high-altitude, strategicically located Pamir plateau of Xinjiang

Web Desk April 20, 2015

China has revealed plans to construct an airport on the strategically located Pamir plateau of Xinjiang, close to Gilgit-Baltistan.

The airport will be built 3,200 ft above sea level and will be the first of its kind on a high plateau in the city of Tashkurgan, providing access to the remote area, according to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) of China.

Tashkurgan is a small trading city located along the Karakoram Highway. Experts from the CAA visited three shortlisted locations in Tashkurgan last week to choose a site for the airport.

China aims to swiftly transfer resources to the remote but strategic region by using the airport.

The city has become more significant since the China’s $46 billion economic corridor, linking Kashgar in Xinjiang, through Tashkurgan and across into Azad Kashmir all the way to the Gwadar port.

Read: Pakistan-China friendship:Lahore, Chengdu to be declared twin cities

The economic corridor aims to connect Gwadar port with North-West China and plan to initiate road and rail links as well as pipelines, which will be a source of oil import for China.

The plan, which involves laying down infrastructure in Azad Kashmir, such as railways, highways and energy projects, is said to have caused alarm in New Delhi.

However, Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Liu Jianchao was reported saying on Friday: “The project does not concern the relevant dispute between India and Pakistan. So, I do not think the Indian side should be concerned about that.”

China is also upgrading the 1,300-km Karakoram Highway.

Read: China to build Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline: report

Andrew Small, author of "the China Pakistan Axis", based on six years of research spoke in his book about the China-Pakistan friendship, saying it was more lasting and has better prospects than its temperamental friendship with America.

The article originally appeared on Mail Online

Correction: An earlier version of this article erroneously stated that the airport was being built close to Azad Kashmir.

COMMENTS (17)

Satish | 9 years ago | Reply INDIA is one of the fastest growing economy in the world. Pakistan is on alms on countries like China and USA. Even their leaders don't feel themselves safe in their own country that's why they live in other countries and come to Pakistan only for elections. It is one the most unstable country so no country is ready to invest here.

Malatesh | 9 years ago | Reply @Pakistani:

raja didn’t know that in democratic societies people decide who they wanted to join and Kashmiris will always vote for pakistan.

And Pakistan gifted part of Kasmir to China. Did Pakistan ask Kashmiris before giving their land to China?

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Amused | 9 years ago | Reply Wow, what narrow-minded replies by my Indian blind-folded friends. If you are so confident about Occupied J&K's status, why don't you hold the UN-mandated referendum? All arguments stop there. Thank you.

Rakz | 9 years ago | Reply Can our Pakistan brothers listen to what we the people of Gilgit-Baltistan has to say here - instead of worry about the Indian occupied Kashmir? It was Kashmiri Kingdom who decided to join Indian but in our case, we fought on out own with Doghar Raj to get independence and then we the people and the Kingdom unanimously decided to join Pakistan. Since then we have so many sacrifices. We have a martyr in each home who has gave life for the security of Pakistan mostly fighting on borders with India. Why cant Pakistan accept us as its citizens? If Pakistan cant give us representation in NA at least they can include us a stake holders in such mega projects that has to do with our regions. In this project our soil will be used to benefit Pakistan. And the TV challenel and all the media persons talk about the benefit of fours provinces, but the forget even to count the fifth one that is actually the economic corridor between Pak and China Pakistan should acknowledge us before it is too late. As it is well said, A bird in hand is worth than two in bush. Wake-up and listen to our helpless voices, otherwise, you will lose us as well. A humble citizen from GB

usman777 | 9 years ago | Reply @bewildered, they think only they have knowledge. that they can't be misled by their own textbooks and propaganda. it's interesting situation: they lecture on situational awareness basing their knowledge on a lack of situational awareness. irony.

Bewildered | 9 years ago | Reply @Rao: "Jammu and Kashmir legally joined Indian Union by the willing ruler Maharaja of Kashmir in 1948....Study a bit about this conflict please not through your Pakistan studies" India herself had rendered the Accession null & void for violating the following clause of the Accession by dethroning the Maharaja. "8- Nothing in this Instrument affects the continuance of my sovereignty in and over this state..." Instead, you need to study history from impartial sources, not the one manufactured by India. Junagadh joined Pakistan in similar manner which India didn't honor and occupied it militarily. Moreover state of Hyderabad Deccan decided to remain independent, but again India didn't accept the wishes of its legitimate ruler and occupied it using army.

Quttoshi | 9 years ago | Reply Such a vague post' one should refer it through map. Lack of geographical knowledge.

Raees Kamil Jan Baigal | 9 years ago | Reply Whats a Shameful Reporting why Azad Kashmir its GB

khan420 | 9 years ago | Reply @Rao: "BTW Jammu and Kashmir legally joined Indian Union by the willing ruler Maharaja of Kashmir in 1948". By the same rule, the ruler of Hyderabad Dakkan joined Pakistan but was forcefully over taken by India. Your text books do not tell you that.

Pakistani | 9 years ago | Reply @Rao: Nice story. BTW pakistan flag was cust raised last week in Indian occupied J&K. Your idiot raja didn't know that in democratic societies people decide who they wanted to join and Kashmiris will always vote for pakistan.

ajeet | 9 years ago | Reply Nice high value target for Indian air force of things heat up

John B | 9 years ago | Reply @Amused: Your comment may be amusing But it is not factual. Please check your history to see who has the legal right to J & K. So called Azad Kashmir is not part of PAK as per PAK and Azad Kashmir constitutions whereas the entire J&K is legally owned And partly occupied by PAK, and as per UN resolution PAK army has to withdraw from Occupied Kashmir. Azad Kashmir cannot progress In any way from International finance And commerce and banking whereas India J&K can. This is the very reason why PAK cannot get financing for Hydro projects in occupied Kashmir. Occupied Kashmir Has become a vassal of PAK and PAK cannot Contribute for its development. Unless PAK agree to withdraw or the working boundary is accepted by India and PAK and Azad Kashmir) there is no progress for Azad K, where as j&K in India will move forward as it has been. If overnight India decides to implement UN resolution, or another UN resolution is introduced through Security council, PAK will be in an internal turmoil.

Rao | 9 years ago | Reply @Amused: "Causing alarm in Delhi" is an exaggeration. BTW Jammu and Kashmir legally joined Indian Union by the willing ruler Maharaja of Kashmir in 1948. Unfortunately help came too late as raiders from present day Pakistan occupied Kashmir by force, pillage and rapine. They had to be thrown out by Indian army . Then came the stupid decision by Indian govt, of Nehru not to go all the way to push the Pakistani raiders. Study a bit about this conflict please not through your Pakistan studies-history. Books.

ajeet | 9 years ago | Reply @Amused: It actually doesn't cause alarm, but gives great satisfaction that no referendum is possible in Kashmir as Pakistan has gifted its part to china and the imams in Chinese Kashmir will be made to dance.

zeeo | 9 years ago | Reply such a misleading and irresponsible news from tribune. The economic corridor doesn't even touches the border of Azad Kashmir. Why are you deliberately omitting Gilgit Baltistan. The Corridor enters Pakistan through Khunjerav Gilgit Baltistan

Amused | 9 years ago | Reply Why is it "causing alarm" in New Delhi when New Delhi itself continues to build infrastructure in Occupied J&K over which it has no moral or legal claim?

Najeeb Ullah | 9 years ago | Reply Cant you say close to Gilgit-Baltistan. taxkurgan is the first major Chinese town in close proximity to Gojal part of hunza valley In Gilgit-Baltistan. apart from geographic proxinity the town has historic and cultural realtions with Gilgit-Baltistan. Like Gojal: upper Hunza a sizable population in Tashkurgan are Wakhi speakers. IT is no relation or proximity what so ever with Azad Kashmir. Please get your facts checked before publishing

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