China builds expressway tunnel in Xinjiang to link Central Asia with Pacific

New Delhi: Beijing has constructed a major tunnel in the Xinjiang region through the mountains to create a connectivity initiative that can link Central Asia with eastern China and Pacific in a major boost to the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in Eurasia.

A22.1km expressway tunnel is expected to be the longest of its kind, and improve links within Xinjiang region and with neighbouring countries in Central Asia which have joined BRI.

Once operational, the 22.13-km Tianshan Shengli Tunnel will reduce the travel time through the Tianshan Mountains - one of the longest mountain ranges in the world - from three hours to about 20 minutes, according to a report in China Daily.


The tunnel can create challenges for the ecology in the long run. The Tianshan Mountains are known as a "geological museum" featuring numerous fault zones.

The tunnel and the expressway network will also help connect the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway under construction to Eastern China connecting Eurasia with the Pacific, experts told ET.