Kulma/Qolma Pass, China-Tajik border, elev. 4,362 meters. Source.
Since the days of Czarist Russia, the border between China and what is now Tajikistan has been in dispute. Finally, this month, an agreement has been consummated. I can't find a map or a detailed description of the new border, but I assume it is the southern half of the border between the two nations. This is a very thinly populated region (on both sides of the bordrer) in the Pamir Mountain range.
What do the two parties gain from the settlement (both explicitly and implicitly)?
For China:
- Final resolution of all land disputes with the former Soviet Union.
- Increased credibility in front of the world stage that China can peacefully resolve disputes.
- Favorable access to minerals, railroad right-of-ways, arable land, and hydroelectric power.
- Better control of border to fight Uyghur separatists and influx of heroin from Afghanistan.
For Tajikistan:
- Peace of mind.
- Goodwill with its largest trading partner and investor.
- Loans and a flood of cheap Chinese goods, including motor vehicles.
A postscript: As a part of the border agreement, Tajikistan is allowing thousands of Chinese farmers to use 2,000 hectares of Tajik land to grow rice for export to China. Wow, talk about unequal bargaining power.
Interesting blog - thanks for drawing attention to this virtually unknown part of the world that merits being "discovered". It would have been nice (and helpful to those who might attracted to the region by your blog) if you had credited your use of the photograph from my website.
ReplyDelete@Robert. My sincerest apologies. I've put up a link to your website. I own and thoroughly enjoy your comprehensive Tajikistan and the High Pamirs book!
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