The Silk Road

Historical background
Traditionally, an improvised caravan route used by both the Chinese and European traders for transporting once famous Chinese silk to West Asia and Europe, the legendary ‘Silk Road’ between Chinese-occupied Sinkiang and Gilgit (Pakistan-occupied Kashmir) has become the focus of world attention with the re-opening on August 24, 1969, of Pakistan-China border trade on this route after 20 years (since 1949). The subject has assumed further importance recently as it came to light that the Chinese were building a new road connecting the Tibet-Sinkiang road with the Gilgit-Sinkiang road through Khunjerab Pass (16,000 ft).